FAQs

In New South Wales (NSW), a Planning Proposal and a Development Application are two distinct processes within the land-use planning system, but they are related and often work together. A planning proposal is a request to amend a Local Environmental Plan, while a Development Application is an application for development consent to carry out a specific development. Essentially, a planning proposal sets the rules, and a Development Application is an application to build under those rules.

A preliminary notification is the first step in a planning proposal and will assist Council in its initial assessment.

A planning proposal is a request to change a development standard such as zoning, building height, floor space ratio or minimum lot size, generally to allow additional development opportunity on a site.

Planning proposals must demonstrate strategic merit by being consistent with local and regional policies, including the Wollongong Local Strategic Planning Statement.

Once a planning proposal is approved at Council level, it is sent to the NSW Department of Planning, Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to assess. You can read more about this process in Council's Planning Proposal Policy.

MacCabe Park is the Wollongong City Centre’s premier park. Since the 1980s Council has been purchasing land to increase the size of the park to enable it to occupy the whole Burelli, Keira, Ellen, Church Street block. Two properties along Keira Street remain privately owned. 

As part of the 2025-26 Operational Plan, Council has allocated funds to prepare a MacCabe Park Master Plan. The Wollongong Local Environment Plan 2009 contains a Sun Plan protection control that prevents buildings from overshadowing the Park, during the lunch period of 12noon-2pm.

The project team will review all the feedback we heard from the community during the engagement period. 

All feedback is important and is one factor in the decision-making process for Council. The graphic below shows some of the factors we consider in our decision making:

This preliminary notification is the first step in a long process and will assist Council in its initial assessment of the proposal. 

If Council resolves to prepare a Planning Proposal and it is supported by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure; then a formal exhibition/ consultation process will occur later in 2025. 

If the planning controls are changed, further consultation will occur through the Development Application process.