Why the future is bright for the Flinders Street Precinct

There’s more than meets the eye at Flinders Street Precinct. A review has outlined its potential as a thriving hub for housing and jobs – and we want to know if you agree.

Wollongong City Council is calling for community feedback on a draft Urban Design Framework (UDF) for the Flinders Street Precinct. It covers the area between Ajax Avenue North Wollongong and Smith Street Wollongong.

Developed in collaboration with urban design firm Architectus, the UDF outlines a comprehensive review of the precinct’s constraints and opportunities to help guide the future growth and development of the area. It has considered various factors including the area’s riparian corridors, flood constraints, heritage items and how people can move around the precinct.

As a result, the framework has suggested amendments to planning controls such as land use, height of buildings, floor space ratio, minimum lot sizes, key sites and public views.

Image: Extract from Flinders Street Precinct UDF, page 11

Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said the Urban Design Framework will be an important tool to guide future planning at Flinders Street Precinct.

“The review has done a great job of unpacking what’s to love about the area. It’s addressed how we can elevate its natural environment more, unlock better development outcomes, enhance its transport corridor and more,” she said.

“The site is nestled in the northern part of our Wollongong City Centre and lends itself to being an ideal northern gateway to our CBD. So, it’s not surprising the precinct has attracted interest for residential and commercial development.

“This framework is an exciting step into how we can welcome this interest while also aligning it with the precinct’s vision and within its capabilities.”

The area has been identified for review in three strategic documents – the Wollongong Housing Strategy 2023, Wollongong Industrial Lands Review 2023 and Wollongong Retail and Business Centres Strategy 2023.

To help inform the draft Framework, Council undertook stakeholder workshops and engagement with Aboriginal community representatives earlier this year. This provided valuable insights and was incorporated into the framework.

Cr Brown said this precinct has the potential to be a key hub for Wollongong and is keen to get resident input to ensure it reflects community needs.

“I recommend taking a read and letting us know what you think. It’s a detailed document and is something to be excited for,” she said.

“We’re also aware of state government planning pathways and how they can work alongside our ambitious plans. If endorsed, it’ll become a tool to guide future planning proposals and major development and shape a hub for our growing community.”

In November 2025, the NSW Government amended the Wollongong LEP to allow taller buildings in North Wollongong under the Transport Orientated Development Program. This area includes some land within the Flinders Street Precinct.

Exhibition is open until 15 December 2025. We’re holding a community drop-in session between 5 – 7pm on Thursday 20 November 2025 in the Library Theatrette, Council Admin Building.

For more information and to provide your feedback, you can visit Council’s engagement website Our Wollongong website.