Wollongong City Council has passed resolutions on 12 reports addressing 27 different precincts in the 7(d) land areas in Helensburgh, Otford and Stanwell Tops.

The reports to Council followed a review of the decisions made by the previous Council, a site tour and a public meeting attended by more than 240 people.

The 12 reports allowed Councillors to deal with each precinct as an individual area and address specific environmental, residential and business concerns for the different precincts.

For instance, in the Gateway precinct Council has resolved to allow business enterprise in this area and retain the tourism use and to encourage further tourism development near the Symbio Wildlife Park.

The Gateway precinct is located on the Princes Highway between the Lawrence Hargrave Drive and Parkes Street. The F6 / Princes Highway / Lawrence Hargrave Drive intersection provides the main western entrance to Helensburgh and is a key starting point for the Grand Pacific Drive.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said the new Council has toured the sites, had extensive briefings on the history and concerns around the precincts, and listened to many local people at a community meeting in mid November.

“Council has taken a strong environmental conservation stance while at the same time ensuring there are some opportunities for growth and local employment,” Cr Bradbery said.

 “Council has wrestled with this long standing set of complex issues and has now resolved on a way forward that provides a balanced approach to environmental outcomes, and also addressing concerns about bushfire risk.

“Council will forward the recommendations on each precinct to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure for their review and determination. If the Department allows Council to proceed with these recommendations, I expect we will be able to exhibit the draft Planning Proposals for public comment in early 2012.”

When Council receives this approval, Council will place the draft Planning Proposals on public exhibition for a minimum of 2 months. This is likely to occur in early 2012.

Community members will be able to view the proposed draft Planning Proposals and make a submission during the exhibition stage. All recommendations on the draft Planning Proposals will be available on Council’s website or you can call (02) 4227 7111 for further information.