FAQs
- Writing to: The General Manager, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 WOLLONGONG DC NSW 2500
- Emailing: records@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
- Phoning: (02) 4227 7111
- Visiting: Council’s Customer Service Centre, 41 Burelli St, Wollongong.
- Completing the online feedback form
- Phoning: (02) 4227 7111
- Visiting: Council’s Customer Service Centre, 41 Burelli St, Wollongong.
- Emailing: records@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
- Writing to: The General Manager, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 WOLLONGONG DC NSW 2500
Can I view a physical copy of the draft Strategy?
You can view a physical printed copy of the draft Strategy in-person at any Wollongong Library branch. Libraries are located at Helensburgh, Thirroul, Corrimal, Wollongong, Unanderra, Warrawong and Dapto.
Why is Council doing this work?
We have developed this draft Strategy to support our centres to be successful thriving places for people to meet, connect, shop, work and live. We understand how critically important these places are to both the liveability and economic health of our city. Well planned and effective centres will deliver more sustainable local employment opportunities, economic productivity, and convenient access to services for our increasing and evolving population.
What are retail and business centres?
‘Retail and Business Centres’ refers to the central business districts of our villages, towns, major towns and the Wollongong City Centre. Generally speaking, these Centres have a business zoning e.g. B1, B2, B3 and B4, and include a mix of uses including commercial, residential, public recreation and social infrastructure.
What’s the difference between the Retail and Business Centres Strategy and a Town, Village or City Centre Plan?
The Retail and Business Centres Strategy is the 'big picture' study. It looks at all our Town Centres across our whole Local Government Area to understand their different roles and how all the Centres work together as a system to support our community. The Retail and Business Centres Strategy uses forecast population data, existing land use information and community feedback to ensure our centres will meet the future needs of our community.
You may have shared your ideas for your local town centre as part of a previous community engagement activity for a Town and Village Plan. These plans are detailed studies, specific to certain places. They include a Vision and actions for a particular town centre. These actions could include community projects, upgrades to streets and parks, and recommendations for planning and building control reviews.
Some Town Plans have made recommendations to change the zoning of some land portions. Without a full understanding of how the whole retail system is working, it can be difficult to pursue these actions. The draft Retail and Business Centres Strategy provides technical analysis and strategic direction to support the delivery of some of these proposed changes to planning controls.
How can I give feedback?
How can I give feedback?
You can give feedback on the draft Strategy by making a submission. You can do this by:
The draft Strategy is on exhibition from 10 October 2022 to 2 December 2022.
What happens to our feedback?
Following the engagement period, the project team will review and consider all the feedback. We’ll then get back in touch everyone we’ve heard from to let them know what the outcome is.
Will I be notified if land I own might be affected by the Strategy?
Yes. We have sought to notify all land owners whose land may be affected by the draft Strategy’s recommendations by sending them a letter in the mail. However, in some cases, where a recommendation relates to a very large or undefined area, individual land owners will not be notified. Please contact us if you think your land may be impacted and you have not received a letter. Please note that if pursued, any changes to planning controls recommended in the Strategy will go through a separate process including formal written notification to all affected landowners.
What is a LEP and DCP?
Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) guide planning decisions for local government areas. They do this through zoning and built form controls, which provide a framework for the way land can be used and what can be built on it. LEPs are the main planning tool to shape future development and also ensure it is done appropriately, including providing protection for heritage and environmentally sensitive areas.
A Development Control Plan (DCP) provides detailed planning and design guidelines to support the planning controls in the Local Environmental Plan (LEP). A DCP is prepared and adopted by Councils. A DCP provides more detail about how land can be used and developed and may relate to a particular building type, (e.g. Residential), a place (e.g. Wollongong CBD) or to a particular topic (e.g. flooding or heritage).
Who can I talk to about the draft Strategy?
Council staff are available to discuss the draft Strategy with you. You can contact Council by:
What happens next?
Following the exhibition, Council will consider the issues raised in submissions and report a final Strategy document to Council for adoption.
If the Strategy is adopted, its recommendations will be implemented via a range of Council projects. Some of these may involve proposals to change planning controls contained in the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009 (LEP) and Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009 (DCP). Any proposed changes to planning policies will be exhibited for community input as part of a separate process.