As part of the review of the 7(d) lands at Helensburgh, Otford and Stanwell Tops, Wollongong City Council will consider a proposal at its Extraordinary meeting on 5 July that a draft Planning Agreement on a land swap proposal be prepared for community consultation.

This draft Planning Agreement is an early part of the community consultation and Council would be seeking informal comment on the draft Agreement.

The draft Planning Agreement proposes the dedication of 321 hectares of land to Council for inclusion in the National Park. In exchange, the draft Planning Agreement seeks urban development within the Land Pooling and Lady Carrington Estate South precincts. The draft proposal also includes an exit strategy for third party land owners in the Lloyd Place, Central Bushland and Lilyvale precincts. 

Director of Planning and Environment Andrew Carfield said Council considers that it would be worthwhile for the sensitive bushland areas to be brought into public ownership, and the draft Planning Agreement provides a mechanism to achieve this without the community having to purchase the land.

“Council also acknowledges that there are concerns about the potential impacts further urban development will have on the environment, and water quality of the Hacking River and Royal National Park,” Mr Carfield said. “This draft Agreement is at a preliminary stage and there will be further opportunities for community comment and consultation on this issue. The exhibition will enable the community to consider the options, costs, and benefits and provide feedback to Council.”

If Council supports this recommendation at its Extraordinary meeting on 5 July, Council will consult with the community and then prepare a further report on the community views and whether the draft Planning Agreement should be progressed.

For more information you can visit Council’s website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au or call Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111.