FAQs

The Gwynneville precinct has been identified as an area suitable for future housing renewal. The precinct includes large areas of land owned by Homes NSW for social housing, as well as homes owned by private landowners. 

A project is underway to change planning controls that apply to the Gwynneville precinct, to increase the supply of different types of housing for people living and working in the Illawarra region. By changing the planning controls, Gwynneville can be transformed to include a mix of social, affordable and private homes benefiting seniors, low-income households, students and key workers. 

The Planning Proposal lodged by Homes NSW seeks to amend the planning controls that apply to the Irvine Street, Gwynneville precinct, to enable up to 1,250 homes, of which 625 (50%) will be social and affordable dwellings.

The proposal relates to 131 lots, Homes NSW owns 75 lots and 56 lots are privately owned. The Planning Proposal applies to all lots within the precinct.

There is a housing crisis in NSW and part of the challenge is the lack of housing supply. 

In reviewing opportunities within its property portfolio, Homes NSW identified the Gwynneville precinct has the potential to transform the local community and boost housing supply and diversity. 

The Gwynneville precinct was developed for social housing in the 1950s.  The social housing dwellings are 2-3 bedroom detached houses which are now 70 years old and no longer fit for purpose or meet Homes NSW client needs.  There is a high demand for one bedroom dwellings and housing for seniors.  

Homes NSW is a division within the Department of Communities and Justice responsible for delivering, managing and maintaining social housing across New South Wales.

In NSW, planning controls indicate what types of land uses, buildings and activities can occur on the land. To renew Gwynneville, the land in the precinct must be rezoned by submitting a Planning Proposal request to Council or the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. 

The land in the Gwynneville precinct is currently zoned for low-density residential housing. Homes NSW is proposing to change the zoning to high-density residential housing. Multistorey apartments (known as Residential Flat Buildings) are already permitted under the current zoning however it is likely a change in zoning will result in more high-density housing. The proposal also provides new and expanded areas of open space to allow more and better social, affordable and private homes to be delivered in the local area. 

Homes NSW submitted a Planning Proposal request to Wollongong City Council in July 2024 to make changes to the current planning controls that apply to the Gwynneville precinct under the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009 (WLEP). If a rezoning is approved, up to 1,250 new homes could be delivered in Gwynneville, with 50% of these homes proposed to be social and affordable.

It is important to note that social housing residents are not being asked to move at this time and there are no changes to current tenancy arrangements. If relocation is required in the future, Homes NSW supports social housing residents through the relocation process, every step of the way. If approved, the rezoning will allow us to deliver more and better social and affordable homes for current and future residents, and people in need.

The Planning Proposal seeks to change the planning controls that apply to all of the land in the Gwynneville precinct, to allow more housing to be delivered in the area. If approved, the rezoning will give private landowners the opportunity to redevelop their land if they choose to, where sites are amalgamated.

If the proposal goes ahead, the character of the area will change over time as the detached dwelling houses are replaced by 2-6 storey residential apartment buildings.

As areas densify local impacts such as increased traffic are to be expected.  Council is aware of the traffic generated by the university and parking issues in the local streets.  Transport issues are addressed in Appendices F and G of the reports.

As part of the planning process, Council and Homes NSW carried out preliminary consultation with residents and the community during July and August 2024 to seek their initial feedback on the Planning Proposal request. A range of views and comments were received by residents and the community. 

In November 2024, Council considered the feedback received and Council resolved to prepare a Planning Proposal to rezone the Gwynneville precinct. The proposal was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for review and assessment.

DPHI provided in principle support for the Planning Proposal, so we are now undertaking more formal consultation with the community.

The planning proposal and other supporting documents can be viewed online at our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au or at Wollongong City Council Customer Service, during the exhibition period.

Council’s project team will consider all feedback received and the planning proposal may be varied as necessary. A report will be prepared for Council detailing what was heard and present recommendations on final amendments. 

Council will consider this report and provide a resolution on how to proceed. All those that have given feedback will be notified of the date of the Council meeting and how to view the relevant documents. 

If the Gwynneville precinct is rezoned, Homes NSW and private owners will be able to lodge Development Applications for amalgamated sites based on the new controls.   Individual Development Applications will be exhibited.  If approved, a development consent will enable a new development to be constructed.   A Development Consent is valid for 5 years.