your fturue illawarra

OCTOBER 2014DRAFT REGIONAL GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

your futureIllawarra

Source: Destination Wollongong

ContentsForeword 5Our Plan for the Illawarra – at a glance 6Introduction 111Sixbiginitiativesto transformthe Illawarra 142Developingaprosperous Illawarra 303MeetingtheIllawarra’sdemandforhousing 414Providingtheinfrastructurenecessaryfor the Illawarra’sgrowth 53

5ManagingtheIllawarra’sagricultureandnatural resources 68

6ManagingtheIllawarra’senvironment and heritage 72

7 ImplementingthePlanfortheIllawarra 80Glossary 83AppendixA–TheIllawarra’snetwork ofcentres 85AppendixB–PerformanceIndicators 88AppendixC–Summaryofactions 89References 96

October2014.©CrownCopyright ISBN:978-0-7313-3656-2©StateofNSWthroughNSWDepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment23–33BridgeStreet,SydneyNSW2000.GPOBox39,SydneyNSW2001T0292286333F0292286555Einformation@planning.nsw.gov.auwww.planning.nsw.gov.au

DisclaimerWhileeveryreasonableefforthasbeenmadetoensurethatthisdocumentiscorrectatthetimeofpublication,theStateofNewSouthWales,itsagenciesandemployees,disclaimanyandallliabilitytoanypersoninrespectofanythingortheconsequencesofanythingdoneoromittedtobedoneinrelianceuponthewholeoranypartofthisdocument.

Copyright NoticeInkeepingwiththeNSWGovernment’scommitmenttoencouragetheavailabilityofinformation,youarewelcometoreproducethematerialthatappearsinthedraftIllawarraRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlanforpersonal,in-houseornon-commercialusewithoutformalpermissionorcharge.Allotherrightsarereserved.Ifyouwishtoreproduce,alter,storeortransmitmaterialappearinginthisdocumentforanyotherpurpose,requestforformalpermissionshouldbedirectedtoNSWPlanningandEnvironment,GPOBox39,SydneyNSW2001.

Coverimage:ShoalhavenCityCouncil.

Source: Destination Wollongong

FOREWORD

Thepopulationisforecasttogrowby65,050to450,300intheIllawarrabetweennowand2031.Weneedtoplanforthisgrowthtomakesurethatwecanprovidethe45,000newhomesand32,150newjobsthatthefutureresidentswillneed.

TheRegionoffersanappealingrangeoflifestylechoices,goodjobs,agreat environmentandhighcalibreeducationandhealthfacilities.Itisalso confrontingsomechallenges.JobsgrowthintheIllawarraoverthelast10 years hasbeenslow,averaging1.7percentperannum;traditionalindustrialjobs havebeendecliningandtoomanyresidentshavetorelyoncommutingtojobsin Sydney.Housingdeliveryhasslowedinrecenttimeswhilehousepriceshavebeenrising.Infrastructurehassometimesfallenshortwhenitisneeded.TheRegion’spopulationisalsoageing–by2031oneinfourresidentswillbe65 yearsandover.

WeneedtomeetthesechallengesheadonifwearetohelptheIllawarragrowandachievegreaterprosperityin theyearsaheadwhilekeepingtheRegion’senviablereputationforgreatlifestyles.ThisdraftIllawarraRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlanoutlineshowwecandoit.Itistheproductofextensivecommunityengagementandisbasedonthemostup-to-dateevidenceintothoseareaswheregrowthwillhavethegreatestimpact–housing,jobs,theeconomyandinfrastructure.

GrowinganddiversifyingtheeconomytoprovidelocaljobsisoneofthedraftPlan’shighestpriorities.Itoutlinesnewsectorswhichhaveeconomicgrowthpotentialandtherolethatstrategicregionalassetscouldplayintransformingtheeconomy.

TheRegionisfortunatetohavesufficientlandavailableforhousing.ThedraftPlansetsoutwherethishousingshouldbelocatedandtargetsfordifferenttypesofhousing.Itoutlinesexistinginfrastructurecommitmentsandprioritisesnewinfrastructuretosupportgrowth,anditidentifiesthestrategicinfrastructurethatcanhelpto driveadditionalgrowthfortheRegion.

ThedraftPlanemphasisestheimportanceofprotectingtheenvironmentalvaluesthataresohighlyprizedby residentsandvisitorsandofhavingastrategywhichrespectsthevalueoftheRegion’sagriculturallandand itsresources.

Todeliverandsustainthehousing,jobs,economyandinfrastructurethatwillhelptheIllawarratoflourishinto thefutureweneedaplan–andweneedstateandlocalgovernmentsandkeystakeholderstoworktogethertoachieveit.

IencourageyoutohavealookatthedraftPlanandtelluswhatyouthink.

Pru GowardMinisterforPlanning

Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 5

OUR PLAN FOR THE ILLAWARRA – AT A GLANCE

Thelifestyleopportunities,theappealofthenaturalenvironment,theavailabilityofjobs,thetimelydeliveryofinfrastructureandtheculturaldiversityofthecommunityhasmadetheIllawarraaveryappealingplacetolive.Theseattributeshavealsoplayedapartintheforecastgrowthinpopulationfrom385,250to450,300by2031–anincreaseof65,050people.

Tomeetthedemandsofthisgrowingpopulation,theRegionwillneed45,000newhomesand32,150newjobs.Itwillneedupgradestoexistinginfrastructureandinvestmentinnewinfrastructuretodelivertheservicesforacommunitythatisnotonlygrowingbutalsochanging–by2031,therewillbeanincreasingageingpopulation,andtherewillbemoreoneandtwo-personhouseholds.

The Illawarra Region has a strong foundation to accommodategrowth.Itoffersitsresidentsgreatlifestylechoices;astunningenvironmentwithuniquelandscapesandbiodiversity;wellestablishedaswellasinnovativeworkopportunities;convenientandeasy-to-get-tocentresandprecinctsforshoppingandotherservices;arichdiversityofpeopleandculture,andhighqualityeducationalandhealthfacilities.

AstheRegiongrowsthesethingswillremainimportant,butcriticaltothewellbeingandtheresilienceofthecommunityinthefuturewillbea strongeconomythatcancreatenewjobsandbusiness;housingthatmeetsthechangingneedsof thecommunity;vibrantpublicplacesthatprovidesocialandculturalgatheringplaces,andwell-designedneighbourhoodsthataresafe,provideopportunitiesforhealthyandactivelifestylesandwhichcontributetosocialcohesion.

Governmenthasanimportantroletoplayincreatingthejobsandahighqualitylivingenvironmentthroughthe services it provides and the infrastructure it creates.However,Governmentonitsowncannotcreateallthejobsnecessarytosustainastrongeconomy–itneedstoensurethattheprivatesectorhastheconfidenceandcertaintytoinvest.Thisiswhy adraftRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlan(draft Plan)fortheIllawarrahasbeenprepared.ItprovidesastrategicframeworkthatwillguidegrowthintheRegionuntil2031.Itwilloutlinewhereandhow

growthwilloccurandtherolethatspecificstakeholderswillhaveinmeetingthecommunity’sneedsfornewhousing,jobs,infrastructureandservices,astheRegiongrows.

ThisdraftPlanistheproductofcomprehensiveevidencegathering,anddetailedanalysisofcommunityandstakeholderfeedbackfollowingthe communityengagementundertakenduringthe exhibitionofThe Illawarra over the next 20 years discussionpaper.ThekeyelementsofthedraftPlan follow:

Growing the economy to create new jobsThedraftPlanmakesgrowingtheeconomyitskeypriority.ItfocusesattentiononthetransformativerolethatkeyregionalassetssuchasWollongongHospital,UniversityofWollongong,PortofPortKemblaandtheShoalhavenDefenceBasesalreadyplayinstimulatinggrowthintheeconomy.Itsuggeststhatwithfurtherinvestmentandfocusedeffort,theseassetscangenuinelyshapegrowthandtransformtheRegiontodrivejobsandhousingoutcomes.

ThedraftPlanalsofocusesonthekeysectorsthathavethepotentialtodiversifytheeconomyandcreate newjobsinestablishedareassuchasretail,administrationandconstruction,andgrowthareassuchastourism,health,disabilityandagedcare,ICT/knowledgeservices,education,transformingmanufacturing,andlogisticsandport-relatedactivities.

ThedraftPlanoutlinesaframeworktosupporteconomicgrowthintheIllawarrathatwillgiveimpetustotheseareasbyidentifyingsomeclearactionsbyStateandlocalauthorities,includingparticular actions that can be delivered through the planningsystem.

6 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan

Revitalisation of Wollongong Centre through urban renewal ThedraftPlanmakesacommitmenttoprepareanurbanrenewalstrategyfortheWollongongCentreto examinethefeasibilityofexistingdevelopmentcontrols,reviewhowthedifferentprecinctsoftheCentreoperate,howtheseprecinctsintegratethroughpublicandprivatetransportnetworks,aswellasidentifyspecificinfrastructureandpublicdomainprojectsthatmaybenecessarytoactivatenewdevelopmentinthearea.

Well located, more diverse and more affordable housingProvidingamixofhousingwhichcatersforpeopleat allstagesinthelifecycle,isclosetojobsandservices,affordable,andwell-designed,isahighpriorityinthedraftPlanbecauseitwillcontributetogrowthandmeettheneedsofthechangingmake-upofthepopulation.

ThedraftPlanproposesanalmostequalsharingofnewhousingbetweennewgreenfieldandexistingurbanareas,reflectingcurrentmarkettrends.HousingopportunitieswillbeavailablefromexistingnewreleaseareassuchasWestDapto,CalderwoodandNowra-Bomaderry,plusanumberofsmallerreleaseareassuchasBulli,ShellCove,WestCulburraandSouthGerringong,aswellasexistingurbanareassuchasthecorridorbetweenFairyMeadowandThirroul(thenortherngrowthcorridor),WollongongCityCentreandKiamaTownCentre.

This‘balanced’approachtohousingissupportedby theexistinginfrastructureplanninganddeliveryprogramscurrentlybeingdevelopedandimplementedbyservicingauthoritiesintheRegion.

Infrastructure in the right place at the right timeInfrastructure is critical to the proper functioning and wellbeingofthecommunitybothnowandinthe future.ThedraftPlanidentifiesinfrastructureprioritiesfornewdevelopment,includingroadandrail infrastructure,publictransport,newhospitalsand healthservices,andnewschoolsandeducationservices.Italsoidentifiesinformationtechnologyand telecommunicationsasapriority.

TheGovernmentwillusethedraftPlanwhenitundertakesitsgrowthinfrastructureplanningsothat everyyearresponsibleagencieswillbeaskedto assesswhentoschedulenewinfrastructure.

Securing the productivity of agriculture and the viability of resourcesThedraftPlanacknowledgesthevalueofagricultureandresourceslikewaterandhardrocktotheregionaleconomyandtoSydney.Itrecognisesthepotentiallanduseconflictsthatarisefromtheproximityof agriculturallandandresourcerichareasintheRegion,andoutlinestheprinciplesthatshouldguidetheprotectionoffoodandfibreproducinglands.TakingamorestrategicapproachtosecuringthelongtermproductivityofnaturalresourcesintheRegionwillprovidegreatercertaintytoruralproducersandtheresourcessector.

Source:TourismShellharbour


Protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural environment ThestunningnaturalenvironmentintheRegionoffersquitedistinctlifestyles–coastal,urbanandrural–foritsresidents,andaddstotheappealforvisitors.As ahometotheDharawalpeople,theAboriginalcommunitiesoftheIllawarrahavestrongculturalconnectionstotheRegion’slandscape.ThedraftPlanfocuses on protecting the landscapes and character ofdistinctivesettlements,particularlyinthesouthernpart of the Illawarra and recognising and protecting importantculturalandAboriginalsites.ThedraftPlan identifiestheimportanceofprotectingthebiodiversityoftheRegionincludingtheIllawarraBiodiversityCorridor,aswellasensuringnewdevelopmentareasatWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderrymaintainorimprovebiodiversityvalues.

Taking action ThedraftPlanproposeskeyactionsthatneedtobeimplementedoverthenextfiveyearstoensurethatgrowthintheIllawarraisbalancedandsustainable,consistentwiththe20-yearframework.

The proposed actions will guide the Local Plans preparedbythefourIllawarraCouncils,aswellasthe Government’sfocusforplanningactivityintheRegion.CooperationbetweenStateandlocalauthorities,businessandindustrygroups(includingthedevelopmentindustry),thehealthandeducationsectors,aswellasthebroadercommunitywillbeessentialtoensurethatthegrowthidentifiedinthedraftPlanisdelivered.

OngoingannualmonitoringwilloccurtoensurethefinalRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlanismeetingitsobjectivesanditstargets.Theentireplan willbereviewedatleasteveryfiveyears.

ImplementationofthefinalPlanwillbeasharedresponsibilitywithcouncils,otherstateagencies,andthedevelopmentandservicessectors.AnIllawarraRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlanAdvisoryGroupwillbeestablishedtooverseeimplementationofthePlan,andspecifically,progressontheidentifiedactions.ToensuretheAdvisoryGroup’sworkiscarriedoutinarigorousandtransparentway,the draftPlanproposestheappointmentofanIndependentChairandthatmembershipbeopenedto CouncilsandkeystateagencyrepresentativesintheRegion.

Opportunities and challenges for the IllawarraTo grow the Illawarra we need to understand the challengestobeovercome,aswellastheopportunities on which we can base our plans for growth.Notonlydoweneedtoplanfortheadditional65,000peopleprojectedtobelivingintheRegionby2031(oneinfourwillbeagedover65years),wealsoneed to ensure that we are creating opportunities for localemploymentandprovidinginfrastructureandservices.

ThegrowthchallengefortheIllawarrameansthatweneedtoplanfor45,000newhomesand32,150jobsby2031.Toaddressthechallengesofgrowthweneedtoworkcollaborativelywithallpeople,agenciesandgroupsthathaveaninterestintheRegion,includingtheprivatesector.Weneedaplanthatwillshowhowtodeliverhomesthatareaffordableandclosetojobsandservices,createastronganddiverseeconomythatgrowsopportunitiesforjobs,providesinfrastructurewhichsupportsgrowth,whilemaintainingthehighqualityenvironmentandlifestyleforwhichtheIllawarraisrenowned.


Growing and diversifying the regional economyBetween2001and2011,jobsgrowthintheIllawarrahasbeenslow,averaging1.7 percentperannum,whileatthesametimewehaveseenasignificantdeclineinindustrialjobsatPortKembla.Ontopofthese challenges we are also experiencing an increasing ageing population and a continuing relianceonpeoplecommutingtojobsinSydney.GrowinganddiversifyingtheeconomytoprovidelocaljobsisthenumberonechallengefortheIllawarra.

WeneedtoincreaselocalemploymentopportunitiesandatthesametimeimproveaccesstojobopportunitiesinSydney.Weneedsufficientcapacitytoaccommodateindustrial,manufacturing,retailandofficeopportunitiesandpromotetheRegionasaplacetodo business.

DeliveringontheeconomicandjobsgrowthchallengerequiresacoordinatedeffortbetweenGovernment,councils,andtheprivatesector.Noonesectorcanachievejobsgrowthontheirownandwemustworktogethertodeliverastrongandrobusteconomy.ThedraftPlanidentifiescleareconomicgrowthopportunities for the region in sectors such as tourism,health,disabilityandagedcare,education,ICT/knowledgeservices,advancedmanufacturingandlogistics.

ThedraftPlanalsorecognisesthesignificantopportunitytorevitaliseandrenewkeyprecinctsintheWollongongCentre,forexampleWestCrownStreet,todriveeconomicdiversificationandprovidebetterserviceprovision.ThedraftPlanproposestoachievethisthroughanurbanrenewalstrategyfortheCentre,includingimprovingtheconnectionbetweentheHospital,CommercialCore,University,andthecity’sbeaches.

Delivering a diversity of housing choices that are more affordableHousingstartsintheIllawarrahaveremainedlowinrecenttimeswhilethecostofprovidinghousinghascontinuedtoescalate.Thisisnotasustainablescenario.ThedraftPlanidentifiesareasforgrowth,assessesthedevelopmentfeasibilityofachievinggrowthinthoseareas,andlinksdevelopmentwithinfrastructuretosupportthesegrowthoutcomes.

The draft Plan shows that the housing needs of the IllawarracanbemetthroughthedevelopmentofhousingopportunitiespresentedbyplacessuchastheWollongongCentreandthecorridorbetweenFairyMeadowandThirroul.Thiscorridor,inparticular,canplayasignificantroleintransformingtheIllawarrabycapitalisingonitsaccesstojobopportunitiesinSydney.

The draft Plan also provides opportunities for greenfielddevelopment,primarilyintheWestLakeIllawarraareasandNowra-Bomaderry,aswellassomesmallerareassuchasBulli,ShellCove,SouthGerringongandWestCulburra.Deliveringadiversityofhousingchoicesintheseareas,unlockinghousingpotentialbyclearingblockagessuchasthecoordinationofinfrastructure,andtheresolutionofaccessanddevelopmentassessmentissues,areallissuesthedraftPlanwilladdress.Providingagreaternumberanddiversityofhousingopportunitieswillhelp to reduce pressure on house prices and contributetogreateraffordability.


HAVE YOUR SAYFeedbackfrompeoplelivingandworkingintheIllawarrawillplayavitalroleinhelpingtoshapethe finalPlan.

Youcanhaveyoursayby:■■ takingthecommunitysurvey■■ fillinginasubmissionsform■■ attendingacommunityevent■■ joiningthediscussionsonFacebook and Twitter.

Formoreinformationvisit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/illawarra

Youcanalsosendasubmissionby:■■ [email protected]■■ posttoDepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment,POBox5475,Wollongong,NSW 2520.

Wepublishsubmissionsonline,whichiswhyit’simportanttoreadourprivacystatementat www.planning.nsw.gov.au/privacy

Submissions close on 7 December 2014.

Providing infrastructure to support growthInfrastructurefortheIllawarrahasnotalwaysbeendeliveredwithhousingandemploymentdevelopmentsattherighttime.Weneedtoensurethatthereissufficientinfrastructurecapacitytorespondtothedemandsforhousinginexistingareas,andthatinfrastructureprioritiesfordevelopmentinnewreleaseareasareprioritised.WealsoneedtoconsiderthelongertermbenefitsofinvestinginstrategicinfrastructureandtherolethiscanplayingeneratingeconomicandjobsgrowthfortheIllawarra.

ThedraftPlantakesastrategicapproachinidentifyinginfrastructurerequiredtosupportbothhousingandeconomicgrowth,andwillbeusedbyGovernmenttoadviseinfrastructureagenciesonwhennewinvestmentsshouldbetimed.

Balancing growth with environmental outcomesTheIllawarra’snaturalandculturalenvironmentsupportsitsresidentiallifestyleandidentity,aswellastourismandagriculturalindustries.AstheRegiongrows,weneedtoensurethatthesevaluesareprotectedsothatourcoastal,urbanandrurallifestylesarevaluedasone.

The draft Plan focuses on protecting the character andlandscapesofsettlements;theopportunitiesforbiodiversityconnectionandconservation;providingcertaintytoresourceextraction;andidentifyingregionallysignificantagriculturalland.

Source:KiamaTourism


INTRODUCTION

In2013,wereleasedadiscussionpapercalledThe Illawarra over the next 20 yearstopromotediscussioninthecommunityabouthowtheRegionshouldgrowby2031.Atthetime,theIllawarraregionincludedtheLocalGovernmentAreasofWollongong,ShellharbourandKiama.Sincethen,wehaverecognisedthattheShoalhavenhasimportanteconomicandhousingconnectionsandshouldbeincludedintheIllawarraregion.

TheRegionhasmanyadvantages–itisonlyanhourandahalffromthecentreofSydneyandhasanabundanceofassetsincludingadramaticcoastlineandtheIllawarraescarpment,strategiceconomicassetsincludingthePortofPortKembla–aninternationaltradegateway;WollongongUniversity–amajorregionaluniversity;theIllawarraRegionalAirport;andaskilledanddiverseworkforce.

The Region is fortunate to have enough housing opportunitiestomeetexpectedgrowth–infactthereispotentialtoaccommodatemoregrowth.However,identifyingopportunitiesfornewhousingwithoutaddressingwherethenewpopulationcanfindworkisunlikelytoseeprojectedgrowthfulfilled.

OurplanfortheIllawarrarecognisestheimportanceofbuildingastrong,diversifiedandstableeconomyfortheRegionasameansofencouragingfuturegrowth.WeseeopportunitiestocapitaliseontheRegion’seconomicandenvironmentalassetstobeaworldclassregion.Tomakethisarealityhowever,wehavetolookatwhatdrivesgrowthintheRegion,overcomeanyimpedimentsandmakethepathwaystogrowtheasier.

Why a regional growth and infrastructure plan This draft Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan (draftPlan)istheframeworkweareusingtoguidegrowthbetweennowand2031.Itfullyintegrateslanduse planning with transport and other infrastructure toensurethatgrowthismatchedbyinfrastructureandservicestosupportlocalcommunities.Itsupportsthegoals,targetsandactionscontainedinNSW2021,theNSWGovernment’splantomakeNSWnumberone,andhasbeenpreparedinconjunctionwiththeNSWLongTermTransportMasterPlan,theIllawarraRegionalTransportPlan,andtheNSWGovernment’sStateInfrastructureStrategy.

The draft Plan for the Illawarra outlines:■■ where new housing should be best located to meet bothcommunityandmarketdemands

■■ wheredevelopmentforindustry,commercialor retailactivityisbestlocatedtotapintojobopportunitiesandchangingconsumerdemand

■■ thesignificantregionalassetsandotherkeysectorswhichhavethepotentialtostimulatefurthereconomicgrowth

■■ wheretheNSWGovernment’sresourcesarebesttargeted for new and upgraded infrastructure investments

■■ howimportantenvironmentalvalues,sensitivelandscapesandculturalassets,andimportantnatural resources can be identified and factored intodecisionsaboutwheregrowthshould,orshouldnotoccur.

What the community had to sayWehavedevelopedthedraftPlanwiththebenefitoffeedbackfromthecommunity,Councilsandstakeholders,followingtheexhibitionofthediscussion paper The Illawarra over the next 20 years. Therewasanextensiveengagementprocessaroundthe discussion paper involving a letter box drop to 118,619homesandbusinessesintheIllawarra,sevenpublishededitorialsinlocalnewspapers,threeradiointerviews,5,254websitevisitsandatotalreachonFacebookof8,086people.

MoredetailonthecommunityandstakeholderfeedbackprovidedisavailableintheIllawarraDiscussionPaperConsultationOutcomesReportat:www.strategy.planning.nsw.gov.au/illawarra/idp


ThirroulThirroul

GerringongGerringong

JamberooJamberoo

BerryBerry

WOLLONGONGWOLLONGONGUnanderraUnanderra

Albion ParkAlbion Park

CorrimalCorrimal

WARRAWONGWARRAWONGDAPTODAPTO

Port Kembla

KiamaKiama

Ulladulla

SHELLHARBOUR

NOWRA

Legend

Drinking Water Catchment

National Park

Major Roads

Railway Line

Major Regional Centre

Major Town

Town

Regional City

Transformative Places

Northern Growth Corridor

International Trade Gateway at Port of Port Kembla

West Lake Illawarra Release Area

Nowra Bomaderry Release Area

Shoalhaven Defence Bases

Wollongong Centre

Nowra Centre

Evidence to underpin the planIn addition to investigating the priorities and aspirationsofthelocalcommunitythroughthediscussionpaperprocess,wehavealsocollectedandanalysedthedataandevidenceassociatedwithpopulationgrowthandchange,thenatureoftheregionaleconomy,thehousingandemploymentmarket,thelocationofimportantenvironmentalandresourceareas,andnaturalhazards.

The following tools were used to develop the evidence whichformsthebasisofthedraftPlan:■■ Urban Feasibility Model – this is a strategic

planning tool which calculates the housing potentialofeachCouncilareaintheRegion,basedonexistingplanninganddevelopmentcontrols,andtheeconomicfeasibilityofdeliveringhousing,basedondevelopmentcostsandthelocalpropertymarket

■■ Review of Illawarra Housing Markets – this providesahighlevelstrategicassessmentofhousingdemandandcapacityintheRegionandincludesananalysisofthetrendsanddriversintheresidentialmarket

■■ Housing Submarkets in the Illawarra – this identifiesthegeographichousingsubmarketsoperatingwithintheIllawarra,andanassessmentofthedemographicprofileofeachsubmarketandits relationship with housing choice

■■ Review of Illawarra Retail Centres–thislooksatthetrendsanddriversintheretailmarket,capacityandsupplyblockages,andprojectsfuturerequirementsforretailcentresintheIllawarra

■■ Industrial Lands Study – this is an updated and detailedstudyintothecurrentstateofindustrialland in the Illawarra

■■ Illawarra Urban Development Program – this is theGovernment’skeyprogramformanaginglandandhousingsupplyintheIllawarraregion.It is developedwiththeadviceandexpertiseofcouncilsandlocaldevelopment/propertymarket experts.

Thisevidencebaseispubliclyavailableandcanbefoundat:www.strategy.planning.nsw.gov.au/illawarra/resources/

We have used the plans and capacities of infrastructure providers to understand infrastructure issues.TheseplansincludetheStateInfrastructureStrategy,theLongTermTransportMasterplanandtheRegionalTransportPlan,aswellasspecificagencyplanslikeSydneyWater’sWaterandWastewaterStrategyforWestDapto.Wehavealsohadextensivediscussions with infrastructure providers to develop thisplan.

To assist in understanding the strategic infrastructure needsoftheRegion,InfrastructureNSWcommissionedworktitledInfrastructure for Illawarra’s economic future (2014) which developed baseline economicforecastsandmodelledaseriesofinfrastructureinvestmentsfortheIllawarraregion.

Other studies and processes which have been developedbykeystakeholdersintheRegionhavealsohelpedtoinformthisdraftPlan,includingCouncils’CommunityStrategicPlansandworkundertakenthroughRegionalDevelopmentAustraliaIllawarra’sTransition Illawarra ProjectwhichhashelpedustounderstandtheRegion’seconomicopportunitiesandinfrastructurepriorities.

How the plan will link to the new planning system This Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan is part ofabroaderframeworktogovernhowplanninganddevelopmentcontrolsarepreparedthatalsoincludesStatePlanningPoliciesandLocalPlans.

StatePlanningPoliciesprovideoverarchingobjectives,prioritiesandpolicydirectionsformattersthataresignificantandapplyacrosstheState.WearedevelopingthepoliciestofocusonkeyareassuchasHousing,Infrastructure,andEnvironmentandHeritage.

LocalCouncilswilldevelopLocalPlanstomeetthe objectivesoftheStatePlanningPolicieswhere relevanttotheirlocalarea,aswellasapplyingtheactionsrequiredbytheRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlanfortheirparticulararea.Theywill dothisbyupdatingoramendingtheirLocalPlan inlinewiththefinalRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlan.


http://www.strategy.planning.nsw.gov.au/illawarra/resources/

http://www.strategy.planning.nsw.gov.au/illawarra/resources/

ThirroulThirroul

GerringongGerringong

JamberooJamberoo

BerryBerry


Albion ParkAlbion Park

CorrimalCorrimal

WARRAWONGWARRAWONGDAPTODAPTO

Port Kembla

KiamaKiama

Ulladulla

SHELLHARBOUR

NOWRA

Legend

Drinking Water Catchment

National Park

Major Roads

Railway Line


Major Town

Town

Regional City

Transformative Places


International Trade Gateway at Port of Port Kembla

West Lake Illawarra Release Area

Nowra Bomaderry Release Area

Shoalhaven Defence Bases

Wollongong Centre

Nowra Centre

1 SIX BIG INITIATIVES TO TRANSFORM THE ILLAWARRA

TheIllawarrahastheopportunitytotransformitself,touseits availablehousingsupply,itskeystrategicassetsanditsconnectionstoSydneyandbeyondthattotheglobaleconomy,so thatitcancreateavibrantandflourishingRegion.

Totakeonanoptimisticgrowthpath,theRegionwill needtotaketheplacesandtheassetsthatarealreadyincomeandemploymentgeneratingandusethesetotransformtheeconomy.Thiswillrequirefurtherinvestment,coordinationandinsomecases,thereviewofplanninganddevelopmentcontrols,tomaximisethegrowthpotentialoftheseassets.

Wehaveidentifiedsixtransformativeplacesthat:■■ playarolebeyondtheirlocalareaand■are importantcontributorstotheregional,andinsome casesStateeconomy

■■ havegoodprospectsforadditionalinvestment.■■ areinastrategiclocationandhaveakeyeconomic function

■■ havethepotentialtodriveadditionaleconomicgrowth through collaboration across all levels of governmentandindustry.

Theyare:1. WollongongCentre2. NorthernGrowthCorridor3. RegionalReleaseAreasofWestLakeIllawarra

(WestDapto,TallawarraandCalderwood)andNowra-Bomaderry

4. NowraCentre5. InternationalTradeGatewayatthePortof

Port Kembla6. DefenceBasesoftheShoalhaven.

ToimplementtheIllawarraRegionalGrowthandInfrastructure Plan we will prepare an action plan for eachofthetransformativeplacestomaximisetheirgrowthpotential.

1. Wollongong CentreWollongongisaregionalcitywiththeabilitytodriveeconomicgrowthandemploymentacrossarangeofsectors.Itcurrentlysupports30,000jobsinsectorssuchastertiaryhealthandeducation,businessuses,publicsectorservices,innovation,aswellasresearchanddevelopment.ItisalsothekeylocationintheIllawarratoaccommodatehighdensityapartmentliving.TheCentreisthecentralgatheringplaceforcivicevents,communityactivities,socialgatherings,andforworkers,residentsandvisitorstothecity.

ThereisalreadyalotofdevelopmentthatisorhasoccurredintheWollongongCentre.ItisoneofthemorevitalandactivepartsoftheIllawarra.Bybuildingonthisactivity,WollongongCentrecantransformtheregion,drivingeconomicgrowththroughitsstrongcommercialandretailfunctions,expandingitsinnovation,researchanddevelopment,andentrepreneurshipactivity,inadditiontoprovidingagreaterrangeofmuchneededaffordablehousingchoices.

WollongongCentreincorporatesanumberofspecialistfunctionsincludinghealth,education,commercial(includingspecialtyretail)andrecreation.Thesefunctionshavestronglinkstoeachother,areconnectedbypublictransportservicessuchastheGongShuttleandaregroupedintoanumberofprecincts including:■■ HealthandMedicalprecinct■■ EducationCorridor■■ CommercialCore■■ West Crown Street■■ Waterfrontprecinct.


TheCentrealsoprovidesanumberofdifferenthousingtypesbutthecostofhousing(oraffordability)isanissue.Thereisstrongdemandforaffordablehousingforstudents,medicalinternsandkeyhealthworkers.Theseprecinctsarealsoattractive locations for housing for seniors because of theirproximitytohealthcare,culturalactivitiesand otherservices.

Health and Medical PrecinctTheHealthandMedicalPrecinctincorporatesaclusterofmajorhealthandmedicalfacilitiesincludingmedicalsuites,laboratories,trainingandrehabilitationcentres.AtthecoreoftheprecinctisWollongongPublicHospitalwhichistheIllawarra’smajorreferralandteachinghospital.ThehospitaliscloselyaffiliatedwiththeUniversityofWollongongandtheIllawarraHealthandMedicalResearchInstitute.TheprecinctwillbesupportedbytheHospital’s$186 millionexpansion,anew$120 millionWollongongPrivateHospital,andanewmentalhealthhospital.1

TheprecinctisconnectedtothecommercialandretailcoreofWollongongbyWestCrownStreet.Thisareahasbeenindeclineformanyyears,buthasgoodconnections and burgeoning opportunities for urban renewal.

Education CorridorTheUniversityofWollongong,theInnovationCampus,theInstituteofTAFEIllawarraandtwohighschools,formaneducationprecinctwhichofferspotentialeconomicandemploymentopportunities,particularlyaroundtheICTandknowledgeservicesectors.

TheInnovationCampusisacentreofinnovationand researchexcellenceaswellasbeinghometoanumberofleadingresearchinstitutesworkingtodevelopsolutionstoanumberofscientific,engineeringandsocialissues.Someoftheresearchprojectsincludethedevelopmentof“intelligent”innovativematerialswiththepotentialtoregeneratedamagedhumannerves,newtechniquesforsustainablebuildingdesign,andthelatestdevelopmentsindigitalmedia.

University

Innovation Campus

Fairy Meadow Station

Health andMedical Precinct

COMMERCIAL CORE

PRINCES MOTORWAYTO SYDNEY

PRINCES MOTORWAYTO SHOALHAVEN WATERFRONT

PRECINCT

EDUCATIONCORRIDOR

West Crown Street

Legend

Princes Motorway

Major Roads

Roads

Railway Line

Gong Shuttle

North WollongongStation

WollongongStation


TheUniversityestimatesthatitcontributes$659 milliontotheGrossRegionalProductofWollongong,andemploys4,825fulltimeequivalentjobs.2Toenable theUniversitytogrow,andtoleverageoffits economicandresearchpotential,issuessuchascongestionandpublicdomain(safeandaccessiblepublicspaces)havetobemanaged.AsoneofthemostcongestedandhighlytraffickedareasintheIllawarra,theprecinctcanbenefitbymorephysicalandeconomicintegrationwithotherpartsofthe Region.

Commercial CoreThecommercialcoreofWollongongisavibrantanddiversecentreforcommercial,retail,cultural,tourism,housing,recreationandentertainmentactivity.

ItisestimatedthattheCentrecurrentlyhasone millionsquaremetresofcommercialfloorspace,with current planning controls allowing for approximatelyeighthundredthousandsquaremetresofadditionalcapacity.Thepropertyanddevelopmentindustryhasrepeatedlyexpressedfrustrationthatthereisalackof supplyof‘Aclass’commercialaccommodation.3While approvalshavebeengivenfor additionalcommercialspace,thisisonlyslowlybeingtranslatedintonewsupply.ThereisanopportunityfortheRegiontoattractmorecommercialactivitybymaking morehighqualityofficespaceavailable.The challengeremainsforthis areatotranslatedevelopmentpotentialintodevelopmentactivity.

ThecommencementofGPT’s$200 millionWestKeiradevelopmentiscontributingeighteenthousandsquaremetresofretailspacetothecentre,4 and will playacrucialroleinconnectingtheCommercialCoretoWestCrownStreet.Italsoreflectsconfidenceinthefutureofthecommercialcorewhichcanassistto encouragefurtherinvestment.

WollongongCityCounciliscurrentlyundertakingaPublicSpacesPublicLifeStudyandtheCrownCentreWestreviewtolookatpotentialenhancementstotheWollongongCentre.ThisisinadditiontoCouncil’s$34 millioninfrastructurerenewalprogramwhichincorporatesCrownStreetMall,5theTownHallandtheBlueMile.OtherrecentinitiativesinthecentreincludetheprovisionoffreeWi-Fi,trafficimprovementsfromtherelocationofbusstops,andthedevelopmentofanEveningEconomyPolicytocreateamorevibrantanddiverseCentrebetween5pmandmidnight.

In2012,thePropertyCouncilofAustraliaidentifiedtheneedforavisionforthecityofWollongongandopportunitiestore-energisethecity.Theoutcomesof thiswork,titled‘ShapingWollongong’,describes10 ambitionsforthetransformationofWollongongincludingrevitalisingthecity,connectingpeopletoplaces,nurturinginnovation,andenhancingvibrancyandinclusiveness.6ThisdraftPlansupportsthekeyambitionsof‘ShapingWollongong’.


Revitalisation of West Crown StreetTogenerateactivityinWestCrownStreet,thereareopportunities to build on the strong relationship and connectionbetweentheHealthandMedicalPrecinctandtheCommercialCore,andtobuildonthelinkstotheEducationCorridorprovidedbytheGongShuttle.Thiscanbesupportedbyfacilitatingthemovementofpedestrianstoconnectplacesbyimprovinglinkagesandenhancingpublicdomain.

This includes: ■■ reviewingthepotentialofunder-utilisedsitesaroundtherailwaystationandWestCrownStreet, includingananalysisofthefeasibilityofplanning controls

■■ improvingpublicdomainsuchasshopfrontfaçade,pavement,lighting,signageandtreeplanting

■■ integratingcontinuouspathsbetweenkeyplacessuchastherailway,CommercialCore,andthe hospital

■■ linkingtobeachesandtheentertainmentprecinct;thewesternandeasternsideoftherailwayline;andtokeybusstopssuchthoseonBurelliStreetand Crown Street

■■ ensuringthatlinksbetweenkeyplacesandpublictransportnodesaresafewithhighqualitylightingandthepresenceofpeople.

Waterfront PrecinctTheWaterfrontPrecinctencompassesbeaches,parks,WollongongHarbour,theNovotelHotel,anda numberofrestaurantsandcafés.Italsohasmajorrecreationandentertainmentfacilitiesincludingthe WollongongEntertainmentCentreandWIN Stadium.Thisareaisanimportantculturalcentre for the Region and has the potential to encouragemore tourists.

PedestrianandcyclerouteshavealreadybeenprovidedalongthisprecinctasaresultofCouncil’sBlueMileproject.Betterlinksfromthisprecinctandbeyondare nowrequiredtoenhancetheconnectionwiththeCommercialCore,WollongongHospitalandtheUniversity.

Source:UniversityofWollongong


ThestrategicactionsforthetransformationoftheWollongongCentreare:

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING

1.1 Develop a Wollongong Centre Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:

Department of Planning and Environment; Wollongong City Council

Short

■■ AnurbanrenewalstrategyfortheWollongongCentretoexaminethefeasibilityofexistingdevelopmentcontrols,reviewhowthedifferentprecinctsoftheCentreoperate,howtheseprecinctsintegratethroughpublicandprivatetransportnetworksaswellasidentifyspecificinfrastructureandpublicdomainprojectsthatmaybenecessarytoactivatenewdevelopmentinthearea.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;NSWHealth;TransportforNSW

Short

■■ IdentifyingthegrowthtrendsandpotentialoftheUniversity;coordinateinfrastructureandaccessarrangementstotheUniversity,andidentifystudentaccommodationopportunities.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;TAFEIllawarra;UniversityofWollongong;TransportforNSW

Short

■■ IncreasinghousingopportunitiesintheCentre,improvethequalityofpublicspacesandmaketheCentremorevibrant.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;UniversityofWollongong

Short

■■ Developingstrategiestobetterlinkcentres,corridorsandgrowthareastoWollongongCentre.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;TransportforNSW

Short

An explanation of housing typesSingle dwelling housingAsingledwellingisabuildingwhichcontainsonlyonedwelling.

Multi-dwelling housingAmulti-dwellingmeanstwoormoredwellings(whetherattachedordetached)ononelotofland,whichisaccessedatthegroundlevelandincludesdualoccupancy,townhouses,villas,terraces,andothersemi-detacheddwellings.ThisdefinitiondiffersfromtheStandardInstrumentLEPdefinitionsowecancapturedualoccupanciesasaformofmulti-dwellinghousing.

ApartmentAnapartmentisabuildingcontainingthreeormoredwellings,butdoesnotincludeanattacheddwellingormulti-dwellinghouseandincludeflats,units,apartments,anddwellingsattachedtoashoporoffice.


PRINCES MOTORWAYTO SYDNEY

PRINCES MOTORWAYTO SHOALHAVEN

Thirroul Station

Bulli

Woonona

Bellambi

Corrimal

Corrimal

Towradgi

Fairy Meadow

Fairy Meadow

North Wollongong

ThirroulThirroul

Legend

Major Roads

Railway Line

Regional City

Major Town

Town

WOLLONGONGWOLLONGONG


Woonona

2. Northern Growth CorridorThenortherngrowthcorridorrunsfromFairyMeadowtoThirroul.Ithastwokeytransportcorridorswhichactasa‘spine’forthearea:theSouthCoastRailwayLineandthePrincesHighway–bothproviderelativelyhighvolumetransportaccesstotheWollongongCentreornorthwardstoSydney.

ThenortherngrowthcorridorcanplayasignificantroleintransformingtheIllawarrabycapitalisingonitsaccesstoglobaljobsinSydneyandtheopportunitiesfornewhousinginkeycentres.

Theopportunitiesforgrowthinthecorridorwillcomefromthedevelopmentofmulti-dwellinghousing(townhousesandvillas)closetotowncentres.TherearealsofuturedevelopmentopportunitiesforhigherdensityapartmentsaroundthetowncentresofFairyMeadow,Corrimal,Woonona,BulliandThirroul.

TheproximityofthecorridortoSydneymeansthatthereisconsiderablescopetosupportcommutersand alsoattractbusinesstotheRegionrelocatingfrom Sydney.Over21 percentoftheworkforceinthenortherngrowthcorridorcommutestoSydneyforwork.7 Aligning transport services and access to these serviceswouldenablestrongergrowthinthiscorridor.

TherailnetworkandtheM1motorwayareaparticularfocusforthecorridorastheyplayanimportantroleinconnectingresidentsnotonlytoemployment,butalsotoeducation,recreationandsocialopportunities.

Planninganddevelopmentcontrolsalreadyinplaceprovidesufficientrealisticcapacitytomeetprojectedhousingcapacityinthiscorridor.Thereisafeasiblecapacityforatleast5,000newdwellingsinthenorthern growth corridor which represents over 40 percentofthefeasiblecapacityformulti-dwellinghousinginexistingurbanareasintheIllawarra.This figurecanbeincreasedwiththeexaminationof certaindevelopmentcontrols,forexamplelotwidth requirements,toprovideadditionalcapacity.

Lookingatpastdevelopmentactivityshowsthatmulti-dwellinghousingisalreadyhappeninginthecorridor–40 percentofnewmulti-dwellinghousingandapartmentcompletionsoverthelastfiveyearsinthe Wollongong LGA have been in the northern growth corridor.Theappealoftheareafordevelopmentcomesfromacombinationofitseasyaccess,proximitytothecoastandthelifestyleofferedbytherevivalofitstowncentres.

WollongongCityCouncilislookingatthetowncentresacross the LGA to integrate land use and transport planning,improvethequalityofthepublicdomain,and encouragemoreenvironmentallysustainabledevelopment.ThedraftCorrimaltowncentrerevitalisationstrategyhasalreadybeenexhibited,withothercentresinthenortherngrowthcorridortofollow.The draft Plan lends support to this process so that Councilcanplanforpublicdomainimprovements,and providegoodurbandesignoutcomestosupportincreases in housing densities in appropriate locations attheothercentresinthecorridor.

Thestrategicactionsforthetransformationofthenortherngrowthcorridorare:


1.2 Develop a Northern Growth Corridor Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:

Department of Planning and Environment

Short

■■ Resourcingtoundertaketowncentreplanninginkeycentresinthenortherngrowthcorridor.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment

Short

■■ Ensuringthatthedeliveryoftransportservicesandaccesstotheseservicesmatchesthedemandforgrowthwithinthecorridor.


Ongoing

Port Kembla

NOWRA-BOMADERRY INSET

NOWRA-BOMADERRY RELEASE AREA

WEST LAKE ILLAWARRA RELEASE AREA

Legend

Release Area

Roads

Railway Line

Major Roads

Regional City


Major Town

Town

Port Kembla

DAPTODAPTO

UnanderraUnanderra

NOWRA

Albion Park

Oak Flats

Warilla

Shell Cove

LAKEILLAWARRA

CONNECTIONS TO NOWRA

CONNECTIONS TO NORTH WOLLONGONG

AND SYDNEY WOLLONGONGWOLLONGONG

SHELLHARBOURSHELLHARBOUR

WARRAWONGWARRAWONG

3. Regional Release AreasTheIllawarrahasbeenabletoidentifyasurplusoflandfornewresidentialdevelopmentthroughcareful planningusingtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram.

TherearetwomajorgreenfieldareasintheRegion–WestLakeIllawarraandNowra-Bomaderrywhichhaveacombinedcapacityof37,500lots,representinga30to40yearsupplyofhousing.ThesurplusenablesWollongong,ShellharbourandShoalhavenCouncilsto meettheirhousingtargetsforgreenfieldlandsupplyandallowspotentialforongoinglandsupplybeyond2031.

DevelopmentofthesenewreleaseareascantransformtheIllawarrabyprovidinganongoingsupplyoflandforthegrowthofhousingopportunities,maintainingastrongconstructionsectorwithintheRegion.

West Lake IllawarraTheWestLakeIllawarraReleaseAreasincorporateWestDapto,CalderwoodandTallawarra.Themajorityoflandintheseareasisalreadyzonedandadditionalplanningproposalsarebeingconsidered.Theareahasacapacityof27,000lotsundertheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram.

Itisimportanttocontinuethefocusonthedeliveryof newhousingbycoordinatinginfrastructureandresolvingassessmentissues(biodiversityanddrainage).WollongongCounciliscontinuingtodevelopbiodiversitycertificationstrategiestostreamlinetheassessmentprocessinWestDapto.It willdothisthroughtheIntegratedDeliveryFramework,discussedindetailintheHousingsection,seep.50.

DevelopmentareaslikeWestDaptohavebeenalongtimeintheplanningandareonlynowstartingtoseeconsistentreleaseofnewlots.Tomaintainprogressin these areas will need ongoing infrastructure investment(publicandprivate),aswellasplanningcoordinationfortheseareas.


Acceleration of new lot production in West Dapto couldbeachievedthroughtheforwardfundingofkeyleadininfrastructure,suchaswaterandsewermains.The Infrastructure Coordination Plan will investigate whether this is achievable under current or revised capitalprograms.

Nowra-BomaderryNowra-Bomaderryreleaseareaswerefirstidentifiedinthe2008Nowra-Bombaderry Structure Plan and coverareassuchasMundamia,CabbageTreeLaneandMossValeRoadprecincts.Apotentialof10,600lotswasidentifiedintheNowra-BomaderryStructurePlan,withsixurbanreleaseareas(6,375lots)rezonedasapartoftheShoalhavenLEP.

Developmentoftheseprecinctsisvitaltoensuringa supplyofnewurbanlandtomaintainthegrowthofNowra.Withouttheopportunitiesprovidedbythese

areasNowrawouldhavelittleavailablehousinggrowth and this would increase pressure to develop othermoresensitivepartsofthecoast.

Again,workingwithShoalhavenCounciltofacilitatenewhousingbyfocusingoninfrastructurecoordinationandresolvingassessmentissues(biodiversityandaccess),isimportanttoprogressingthereleaseoftheseareas.ThiswillbedonethroughtheIntegratedDeliveryFramework,discussedindetailintheHousingsection,seep.50.

Accelerationofnewlotproductionrequirestheresolutionofthescale,costandapportionmentofStateroadaccesstothereleaseareas.Whilethisdoesnotrequiretheconstructionofthepreviouslyidentifiedwesternbypass,itwillrequiretheurgentresolutionoftheroleofthePrincesHighwayandalternatemeanstocrosstheShoalhavenRiver.


1.3 Develop a Regional Release Areas Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

■■ ContinuingwiththeIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkforWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderry.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Ongoing

■■ Developing an Infrastructure Coordination Plan for WestLakeIllawarra.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil

Short

■■ Developing an Infrastructure Coordination Plan for Nowra-Bomaderry.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short


University of Wollongong

Bomaderry Station

CONNECTIONS TO WOLLONGONG

CONNECTIONS TO SOUTH COAST

NOWRA CBD

Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital

Council and Entertainment Centre

Legend

Roads

Railway Line

Major Road

4. Nowra CentreNowratowncentreisthebusiness,retailandservices huboftheShoalhaven.Asatraditional‘regional’centre,Nowrahasanumberofretailprecincts,somecommercialandgovernmentservicescateringforthe localcommunityandlimited tourismfunctions.TheOfficeofLocalGovernmentislocatedwithintheNowraCentre,as wellasShoalhavenCityCouncilandonthenorthernedge,ShoalhavenDistrictHospital.

TheNowraCentrecanplayatransformativerolein thesouthernpartoftheregionbylookingatthe opportunitiesthatexisttoexpanditsfunctionbeyond thatofprovidinglocalservices.Lookingfor opportunitiestocreatetheNowraCentreasatourism ‘gateway’totheNSWSouthCoast,aswellas encouragingnewbusinessopportunitiestiedtothegrowingdefenceindustry,areimportanttodiversifyingthefutureofthisarea.

Althoughthecentreiscurrentlysplitintoanumberof unconnectedprecincts,someofwhicharerundown,thereareclearopportunitiesforrenewalandrevitalisationtoconsolidateitsroleasthemajorcentrefortheShoalhavenandthesouthcoast.

ShoalhavenCounciliscurrentlyimplementinganumberofplanningprojectstogenerateactivityand developNowraCentre,includingthe:■■ CBDUrbanDesignMasterplan■■ NowraCBDHeightandFloorSpaceRatioplanning

controls■■ NowraCBDRevitalisationStrategy.

There are other areas on the fringe of the centre which couldcontributetothegrowthpotentialofNowraincluding the expansion of the:■■ MedicalprecinctwhichadjoinstheCBDtotheWest.TheShoalhavenDistrictMemorialHospitalis affiliatedwiththeUniversityofWollongongand UniversityofNSWandprovidestrainingplacementsformedical,nursingandalliedhealthstudents,aswellasclinical,teachingandresearchopportunitiesformedicalprofessionalsandacademics.RecentgrowthattheHospitalhasmadetheIllawarraShoalhavenLocalHealthDistrictlookcarefullyathowthecampusoperatesanditspotentialforthefuture.



KEMBLA GRANGEINDUSTRIAL AREA

UnanderraUnanderra

WARRAWONG

PORT KEMBLAHEAVY INDUSTRIALAREA

Port Kembla

Legend

Princes Motorway

Major Roads

Roads

Railway Line

Port Kembla Heavy Industrial Area

Kembla Grange Industrial Area

Regional City


Major Town

■■ TheUniversityofWollongong’sShoalhavenCampus,whichprovidesthesamecoursesavailableattheUniversity’smaincampusinWollongong;namelylaw,humanities,business,socialsciences,science,medicineandhealth.The currentcampusislocatedatMundamia,but canbemorecloselytiedtothecommercialactivity inthecentre.

■■ ShoalhavenRiverprecinct,whichadjoinsthecouncilofficesandmedicalprecinct.Betterlinkagesbetweenthisprecinctandthecentrecouldemphasisethescenicqualitiesoftheriverandallowthecentretotakeadvantageofthisimportantasset.

Toboosttheeconomicandculturalpotentialofthisimportantcentre,thedraftPlancontinuestosupportCouncil’splanningprocessesfortheNowraCentre.Council’simprovementstopublicdomain,urbandesignoutcomesandaccessissuesinandaroundthecentrewillhelptosupportitseconomicgrowth.


1.4 Develop a Nowra Centre Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

■■ Planningforpublicdomainimprovements,modelurbandesignoutcomesandexamineaccessissuesinandaroundtheCentretosupportitseconomicgrowth.


Short

■■ Developing initiatives to increase public transport usageandbetterintegratewalkingandcyclingintheNowraCentre.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil;TransportforNSW

Short



KEMBLA GRANGEINDUSTRIAL AREA

UnanderraUnanderra

WARRAWONG

PORT KEMBLAHEAVY INDUSTRIALAREA

Port Kembla

Legend

Princes Motorway

Major Roads

Roads

Railway Line

Port Kembla Heavy Industrial Area

Kembla Grange Industrial Area

Regional City


Major Town

5. International Trade Gateway at the Port of Port Kembla

ThePortofPortKemblaistheIllawarra’sdeepwaterfreightport.ThePortconnectstheIllawarratotherestoftheworldthroughitsexportofcoalandgrain,aswellasitsimportofmotorvehicles.ThePortalsocontinuestosupportsteelmakingoperationswithinthePortKemblaSteelworks.

ThePort'sabilitytotransformtheRegion isalreadybeingseenasitdirectlyandindirectlysustainsover3,500jobsandcontributes$418 milliontotheregionaleconomyeachyear.8The PortistheonlyportinNSWthatiscapableofreceivingmotorvehicles,andcontinuestoplayanimportantroleintheexportofcoal(13.4 milliontonnesin2012/13)andgrain(2.6 milliontonnesin2012/13),andprovidesopportunitiesforthecarriageofironore,andtheshipmentofsteelandsteelproducts.9

OriginallyabulkproductsPort,recentinvestmentssuchasthe$170 millioninnerharbourupgrade,10 have givenPortKemblathecapabilitytodealwithcontainerisedcargoesaswellasmotorvehicleimports.ApprovalshavebeengiventoexpandthecapacityoftheOuterHarbourwitha$700 millionredevelopmentalreadyunderway.11Thethree-stageexpansion will include the construction of new multi-purposeberthsandreclamationof42 hectares ofland.

InMay2013,a99-yearleasewassignedbytheNSWGovernmentandNSWPorts.ThisleasehasgivenNSWPortstheresponsibilitytomanageanddevelopthebusinessofthePortofPortKembla.

PlanninganddevelopmentcontrolsforthePortare governedbyState-basedcontrols,reflectingthe significanceofdevelopmentinthearea.The continuedexpansionofthePortwillrequirean integratedapproachtotheuseofindustriallandin the Illawarra.AlreadythePortprovidespotentialfor newindustrytolocateintheRegion,whetheritisabiodieselplantonreclaimedland,ornewlogisticsandfreighthandlingfacilitiesatKemblaGrange.Thereareopportunities to build on the freight operation at the PortandcreatenewjobsfortheRegion.

GreateractivityatthePortalsohasimplicationsfor howwehandlefreightmovements.Atthecurrenttime,carriageoffreighttoandfromthePortreliesonexistingroadandrailcorridorssuchasMountOusleyandPictonRoads,aswellastheSouthCoastRailLine.Thecapacityofthesecorridorsisbeingcloselyscrutinised,asistheabilityoflongtermcorridorslikethepotential$667 million12Maldon-Dombartonrailline,sothatthePortcanmaintainconnectionstokeymarketsandresourceareas.

ThePortofPortKemblaprovidesanimportantcompetitiveadvantagefortheIllawarrabecauseofits internationalimportandexporttrademarkets.SignificantinvestmentisbeingmadeinthePort,whichisshiftingfocustocarimportation.


AnumberofprioritieshavebeenidentifiedforthePort including:■■ theavailabilityofzonedlandforpurchaseby industry

■■ understandingtheimplicationsonthesupplyof industriallandfornon-portrelateduses

■■ aneedtoensuretheongoingsafetyandreliabilityof freight and passenger access across the Region astheportandport-relatedactivitiesgrow

■■ identifyingastrategicinfrastructuresolutiontoimprovetheefficiencyoftheexistingfreightnetworkandprovidemoredirectaccesstoSydney.ThecurrentinvestigationintotheMaldon-Dombartonrailcorridorprovidesanopportunityto consideranappropriatefreightsolutiontosupportcontinuedinvestmentinthePort

■■ identifyingsocialandenvironmentalissuesassociatedwiththeexpansionofthePort,forexample,increasedroadcongestion,andairand noisequalityimpacts.


1.5 Develop an International Trade Gateway Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

■■ EnsuringMaldon-Dombartonrailcorridorisprotectedinlocalplanningcontrols.

WollongongCityCouncil Long

■■ Investigatingtheimplicationsonthesupplyofindustriallandforoff-siteindustrialareassuchasKemblaGrangethatcansupportportandnon-portrelateduses.


Medium


6. Shoalhaven Defence BasesTheShoalhavenincorporatestwosignificantnavalbases–HMASAlbatrosswhichisAustralia’sonlyNavalAirStation(10kilometressouthwestofNowra)andHMASCreswell(withinJervisBayTerritory).Anumberofothermilitaryfacilitiesarealsolocatedintheareawhichsupporttheseoperationalbases.

Thedefencesectorsupportsover2,500jobs,contributinginexcessof$295 milliontotheShoalhaveneconomy.ThisrepresentsthehighestconcentrationofdefenceemployeeswithinanyNSWlocalgovernmentarea.

ThedevelopmentoftheAlbatrossAviationTechnologyPark,whichislocatedadjacenttoHMASAlbatross,hasalsocreatedaclusterofelectronic,IT,

logistics,andaviationsectors.OpportunitiesexisttorecognisedefenceinterestsintheRegionandidentifylongtermplanstosupporttheirongoingrole.Shoalhaven Council will also continue to explore opportunities to attract additional defence contracts bypromotinglocalandregionaladvantagesoverinterstaterivals.ThepotentialtobuildanongoingavionicsindustryclusterattheIllawarraRegionalAirportwillalsobuildtheRegion’sdefenceindustry capacity.

Supporting the defence bases and encouraging defence contractors to locate in the area has the abilitytoplayatransformativeroleinthesouthernpartoftheregion,boostingemployment,creatinga demandforskilledlabourandsupportinghightechnologymanufacturingandmachinery.


1.6 Develop a Shoalhaven Defence Bases Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

■■ EnsuringthatLocalPlansmapandprotecttheairand ground space around defence facilities so that newdevelopmentdoesnothinderexpansion.


Ongoing

■■ ProtectingthecapabilityofNowra’scommercialandindustrialprecinctstocontinuetogrowdefence-related industries (including support for infrastructureplanninganddelivery).


Ongoing

■■ Recognising the potential opportunities for avionics industryattheIllawarraRegionalAirport.

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShellharbourCityCouncil

Ongoing


Sanctuary Point

JERVIS BAY

CONNECTIONS TO SOUTH COAST

HMAS ALBATROSS

ALBATROSS AVIATION

CONNECTIONS TO WOLLONGONG

NOWRA

HMAS CRESWELL

Vincentia

Sussex Inlet

Technology Park

Legend

Defence Base

Roads

Major Roads


Major Town

Town

Source:ShoalhavenCityCouncil

2 DEVELOPING A PROSPEROUS ILLAWARRA

ShapingtheIllawarra’seconomyhasbeenanongoingchallenge.Ourfocus,asthepopulationincreasestoover450,000people,willbetocreateadiversified,resilientandrobusteconomythatcanwithstandone-offeconomicshocksandboostemployment.

We will need innovative approaches to growing the economysothatwecancreateatleast32,150newjobsby2031.Thiswillnotonlyprovideforthegrowingpopulation,itwillalsohelptoaddressthelongtermandstructuralemploymentproblemsthatexistwithinpocketsoftheRegion.

Weneedtoacknowledgethechallengesfortheeconomy–thetrendsintheageingpopulationwhichhasanimpactonthenumberofworkingagepeople;themovementofyoungerpeopleoutoftheRegion;thenumberofworkerscommutingtoSydney,andstructuralchangestotheeconomy.

Whileinthepastoureconomywaslinkedtoheavymanufacturing,miningandagriculture–weareseeingchangestooureconomicbase.Someofthesechanges,suchasthedrifttoglobaljobsinthenorth(viacommuting)arehappeningnaturally.Otherchangesrequiregreatercoordinationtoensurethatthepublicandprivatesectorsareworkingtogetherto complement,ratherthanfrustrate,jobsgrowth.

TheplanningsystemcanhelpjobcreationandeconomicdevelopmentintheRegionbyremovingimpedimentstodevelopment,ensuringthereissufficientlandidentifiedforemployment,andstrengtheningkeycentresintheRegion.ThiswillbeastrongfocustoourplanfortheIllawarra.ByworkingwithCouncilstocreatevibrant,well-designedandwell-servicedcentresthatprovidehighqualityandinterestingculturalandrecreationalexperiences,wewillalsoencouragenewinvestment,andattractpeopletotheRegiontoworkandlive.

Unfortunately,justprovidingaplanningresponsetothegrowthoftheeconomywillnotbeenough.Between2001and2011,jobsgrowthhasbeenslowaveraging1.7 percentperannum.13Atthesametime,wesawafurtherdeclineinjobsatPortKemblaandotherheavymanufacturinglocations.Inordertosecuregreatereconomicgrowth,itisimportantto understandwhatwillbedrivingtheIllawarra’seconomyintothefutureandwhatactionswecan all taketoacceleratethosedriversforgrowth.

Mega trends that impact the Illawarra’s economy■■ WorkundertakenbyRegionalDevelopmentAustraliaIllawarra(TransitionIllawarra)andInfrastructureNSW(InfrastructureforIllawarra’seconomicfuture)hasidentifiedanumberof‘megatrends’thatareexpectedtoimpactontheRegion’seconomicfuture

■■ The digital economywillbeamajordriveroftheRegion’seconomyduetothegrowthofbroadbandnetworksandbroaderdevelopmentssuchastelework,onlinedeliveryofservices,e-commerce,andsmartinfrastructure

■■ The increasing prosperity of AsiamayleadtoincreaseddemandforhousingintheIllawarraassociated with increased use of the education facilitiesintheRegion;accesstohigherqualityfood,andmorevisitors

■■ Broad structural change is forecast to result in a shiftawayfrommanufacturingtoamoreservice-focusedeconomyintheIllawarra

■■ The ageing populationmeansthattherewillbegreaterdemandforarangeofhealthservicesaswell as aged care services

■■ The future growth of Sydney presents opportunities for residents in the Illawarra to accessagreaternumberofjobopportunitiesandfor the Region to position itself as an alternative placetolive.ThistrendmaybeintensifiedastechnologicalchangemakesiteasiertoworkfromhomeandastransportlinksbetweenSydneyandtheIllawarraimprove.


Focus areas for growthAnumberofestablishedsectorsmakeasignificantcontributiontotheregionaleconomyandarepredictedtocontinue.Theyincludeconstruction,retail,andpublicadministration,whichwhencombined,accountedfor11 percentoftotalemploymentin2011.14Miningandextractiveindustriesalsohaveasignificanteconomicimpact.Coalminingcontributed$649 milliontotheregionaleconomyin2011,representing4.2 percentoflocalvaluedaddedgrossregionalproduct.15

AsignificantproportionoftheRegion’sworkforcecommutesoutoftheRegionforwork.In2011,over12 percentoftheRegion’sworkforcecommutedtoSydneyforworkeachdaydestinedforsouthwestSydney,southernSydneyandSydneyCity.16

Over40 percentofworkersleavingtheRegionareemployedinamanagerialorprofessionalcapacity.TheSydneyjobsmarketprovidesemploymentopportunitiesforworkersintheIllawarrawhichareofteninprofessionsnotasreadilyavailableintheRegion.Thisisacompetitiveadvantageintermsofavailableskills,accesstointellectualcapitalandhighincomeearners,butitshouldnotremovetheimpetusforprovidinglocaljobs.

General population growth will drive growth in sectors suchasconstruction,retail,andpublicadministration,however,thisdraftPlan’sfocusisonthekeygrowthopportunitiespresentedbythe‘megatrends’.IntheIllawarra,thefocusareasforeconomicgrowthwillbethefollowing:tourism,health,disabilityandagedcare,ICT/knowledgeservices,education,transformingmanufacturing,andlogisticsandport-relatedactivities.

Our strategies to support focus areas for growth in the IllawarraAcollaborativeapproach,involvingindustryandgovernmentstakeholders,willbeneededtorealiseeconomicgrowthintheRegionwithafocusonkeygrowthareas.ProvidingacleareconomicdirectionfortheRegionwillbecritical,whichiswhywehaveidentifiedopportunitiesforeconomicgrowthintheIllawarra that brings together the focus areas for growthandsomespecificactionsforpublicandprivatesectorinterests.

Source:DeeKramer


A framework to support economic growth in the Illawarra

MEGA TRENDS AND KEY REGIONAL ASSETS AND GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES

Focus areas for growth

Tourism Health, Disability and Aged Care

ICT/Knowledge Services

University & Education

Transforming Manufacturing

Logistics & Port related

How the Draft Plan supports the focus area for growth

Visitor assets for tourism economyLEP permissibility

Improved public domain

Housing diversityRemove

impediments

Increase capacity for office space

Road connectionsStudent housing

Industrial lands supply

Industrial lands supply

How State Agencies and key stakeholders can support the focus area for growth

MarketingTraining

Entrepreneurship

Connection to services

Training of workforce

MarketingTraining

Resources

Capacity for growth of the UniversityEntrepreneurship

InnovationTraining

Entrepreneurship

Road & rail freightTraining

Smart infrastructure

TheframeworktosupporteconomicgrowthintheIllawarrahasbeendevelopedinconsultationwithkeystakeholdersincludinggovernmentagencies,councilsandkeybusinessandindustrygroups.Ithasevolvedfromananalysisoftheeconomicdriversandfocusareasforgrowth,andthespecificactionsthatareneededtoachieveabalancedapproachtoeconomicdevelopmentintheRegion.ItalsobuildsontheextensiveworkcompletedbyRegionalDevelopmentAustraliaIllawarra’sTransition IllawarraprojectwhichidentifieskeytrendsandgrowthsectorsfortheIllawarra’seconomy.

Theframeworktosupporteconomicgrowthwillbeusedbyrelevantgovernmentagenciestodevelopacross-clustercollaborativeapproachtoeconomicgrowthintheIllawarra.Thiswillenablegovernment

agencies,councils,andotherkeystakeholdersintheRegion to have a shared understanding of the Region’seconomicopportunities,andhoweachstakeholdercancontributetogrowth.

Theroleoftheplanningsystemistoprovidethestrategiclanduseframeworkwhichensuresthatthereissufficientlandandofficespaceforemployment,thatthepublicdomainisenhancedandappropriatetotheageingofthepopulation,andthatthedeliveryofinfrastructureiscoordinated.ThereareanumberofwayswhichthisdraftPlansupportseachofthefocusareasforgrowthtomakeacontributiontoeconomicdevelopmentintheIllawarra.Thespecificactionsforeachfocusareaaredescribedinmoredetailover.


Tourism TourismisimportanttotheeconomygiventheRegion’sproximitytoSydneyandCanberra,anditsuniqueIllawarraEscarpment,beaches,nationalparksandrurallands.DestinationNSWestimatesthattourismisworthalmost$1.3billionperyeartotheIllawarra,andbringsinover6.7 millionvisitorseachyear,representingover8 percentoftotalvisitorstoNSW.TotalovernightvisitorsinShoalhavenalonereachedonaverageoverone millionperyearbetween2010and2013.17

BuildingtourisminfrastructurethatbothencouragesnewvisitorsandenablesvisitorstobetterenjoytheRegionisimportanttoboostingthisimportantsector.

TheconstructionofShellCoveBoatHarbour,whichis wellunderway,isanexampleofanimportantpieceoftourisminfrastructure.Thiswillbeasignificantboating,touristandlifestyledestinationcapableofanchoringamarine-basedtourismnetworkintheIllawarraandSouthCoast.Ithasthepotentialtobebothakeyattractortomarine-basedtourismaswellasagatewayforboatingtouriststovisitothersitesintheIllawarraandonthesouthcoast.

GrowingthecapacityoftheRegiontoaccommodateamarine-basedtourismeconomywillalsoenablegreaterutilisationofthenetworksofsmallportsandboat harbours that exist in the Illawarra and further downthesouthcoast.TheseportscanbecomeentrypointsforabroaderrangeoftourismandotheradventureexperiencesthattakeadvantageoftheRegion’sgreatnaturalenvironment.

IncreasingthenumberofvisitorstotheIllawarraandmakingasignificantcontributiontojobsgrowthintheIllawarracanbeachievedbyexpanding‘visitorassets’to ensure that there are a range of activities available toconvertdaytrippersintoovernightstayers.

How the draft Plan supports tourismWewillpartnerwithkeytourismstakeholdersincludingCouncilstoidentifythepotentialofnewvisitorassetsoractivitiesforthetourismindustry.Thismayincludeaccommodation,receptionvenues,andleisureandrecreationfacilitieswithafocusonrecreation,eco-tourism,agri-tourismandculturallyappropriateAboriginaltourism.

Health, Disability and Aged CareAsaresultoftheRegion’sageingpopulation(oneineveryfourpeoplewillbeovertheageof65in2031),aged care and health related services will continue to beasignificantcontributortolocalemployment.TheIllawarra can leverage off the expertise of the UniversityofWollongong,theDementiaTrainingStudyCentreandthepresenceoftwoofAustralia’slargestcommunity-basedagedcareproviders,andencouragetrainingandemploymentopportunitiesinresidentialcare,alliedhealthandcommunitysectors.

Thehealth,disabilityandagedcaresectorintheRegionissupportedbythreemajorhospitals(Wollongong,ShellharbourandShoalhaven),sixcommunityhealthservices(Bulli,Coledale,Berry,Milton-Ulladulla,KiamaandPortKembla),fourprivatehospitals(Figtree,Thirroul,NowraandShellharbour)andmorethan100generalpractitioners,privatealliedhealthproviders,andnot-for-profitorganisations.

WollongongHospitalisaregion-wideprovideroftertiaryclinicalservices,researchandteachingandissupportedbyShellharbourandShoalhavenhospitals,whichprovideacomprehensiverangeofsecondaryacuteservicestothesouthernIllawarracommunities.

TheIllawarra/ShoalhavenLocalHealthDistrictissupportingpotentialgrowthinthissectorbyanumberofinvestments,includingthe$134 millionexpansionofWollongongPublicHospital,a$10.6 millionsub-acutementalhealthunitatShoalhavenHospitaland$56 millionofintegratedagedcareprojectsatKiamaandBullihospitals,partly fundedthroughtheRestartNSWIllawarraInfrastructureFund.Privateinvestmentisalsocontributing to growth in this sector such as the new $120 millionWollongongPrivateHospitaland$41 millionofinvestmentinagedcarefacilities,also partlyfundedthroughRestartIllawarra.

How the draft Plan supports the health, disability and aged care sectorWewillimprovethepublicdomainofourcentres,forexample,byofferingwiderangingfacilitiesthataresafeandaccessiblefortheaged.Wewilldeliver a range of housing options to accommodateanageingpopulation.Wewillalsoworktoremoveimpedimentstodevelopment,forexample,continuingtoallowagedcarefacilitieswherehospitalsandresidentialflatsarelocated.


ICT/Knowledge ServicesTechnologicalchangeisprovingtobeakeyfocusfor theRegionasitattemptstodiversifyitseconomyforthefuture.WhiletheRegion’sInformationCommunicationsandTechnology(ICT)sectorisforecasttoremainsmall,theICTandknowledgeservices sector in a broader sense has the potential to providesignificantadvancesinhealth,education,telework,e-commerce,businessservices,financialservicesandinformationandcommunicationstechnology.

KeyenablersoftheIllawarra’sICT/knowledgeservicessector include:■■ ICTworkforce–theUniversityofWollongongisthelargestsingleuniversitysupplierofICTgraduatesinNSW18

■■ Highspeedbroadband–theIllawarraiswellplaced to capitalise on opportunities in ICT/knowledgeservicesduetoitspriorityrolloutoftheNationalBroadbandNetwork.ThisisreflectedinRegionalDevelopmentAustralia’sIllawarraDigitalStrategy

■■ iAccelerate–aninitiativedevelopedbytheUniversitytohelpindividualswithstart-upbusinessesbyprovidingsupporttodevelopanddelivertechnology-focussedbusinessesintotheIllawarraeconomy

■■ Telework–theRegion’sproximitytoSydney,combinedwithadvancementsintechnologycouldallowagreaternumberofemployeesintheIllawarratoworkforbusinesseslocatedinSydneyorinterstate.ItcouldalsomeantherearefewerpeoplecommutingoutoftheRegion.Providingsmartworkhubscouldmakeacontributiontotheseoutcomes

■■ Data Centre – the recent approval to construct a $27 millionTier3datacentreintheIllawarraislikelytoattractjobsandrelatedbusinesstotheregion.

How the draft Plan supports ICT/knowledge servicesTosupportICT/knowledgeserviceswewillensurethatthereisanongoingcapacityforofficespacetosupportagrowingknowledgeservicessectorandimplementtheactionsdetailedintheActionPlanfortheWollongongCentre(seep.18)todevelop the Region as an attractive location for business.

University and EducationThe Illawarra has a strong education presence and it isexpectedtoexperiencegreatergrowth,duetothe appealoftheRegion’svocationalandtertiaryeducationofferings.ThisisledbyTheUniversityof WollongonganditsInnovationCampus,whichis designedtobridgethegapbetweenpureandapplied research.

TheUniversityhasninecampusesacrosstheIllawarra,Sydneyandinternationally,attractingover31,000studentsin2012–includingalmost7,000overseasstudents.19TAFEIllawarraalsohasastrong presencewith14campusesacrosstheIllawarra,SouthernHighlands,andSouthCoast,with anaverageenrolmentofover34,000studentseachyear.20

TheUniversityisinvestinginanumberofenterprisesthathavetheabilitytobringbroadercommercialopportunitiestotheRegion,including:■■ theSustainableBuildingsResearchCentre(SBRC)locatedattheUniversityofWollongong’sInnovationCampus, whichfocuses onreducingthecarbon footprint of existing buildings and developingnewtechnologiestomakefuturedevelopmentsmoreenvironmentallysustainable.The building has a 6 Star Green Design rating and incorporatesastate-of-the-artlaboratoryandin-situtestingfacilities

■■ theEarlyStartResearchInstitutewhichseeks to improveeducationaloutcomes,particularly foryoungpeopleand/or peoplefrom disadvantagedbackgrounds

■■ theSMARTInfrastructureFacility–aworldclassleaderandeducatorin‘integrated’infrastructureplanningandmanagement,providingresearchanddevelopment nationallyandoverseas.Forexample,theUniversityispredictingthatsmartenergygridshavethepotentialtodriveefficiencygainsintheelectricitynetwork,whileintelligenttransportationsystemstechnologiescanimprovethesafety,efficiencyandcompetitivenessoftransportsystems.

How the draft Plan supports the University and EducationWewillsupporttheUniversityandeducationsectorbyimplementingtheactionsdetailedintheActionPlanfortheWollongongCentre(seep.18).TheActionPlanwillidentifythegrowthtrendsand potentialoftheUniversity,theimportanceof coordinatinginfrastructureandaccessarrangementstotheUniversity,andidentifystudentaccommodationopportunities.


Transforming ManufacturingWhilethemanufacturingsector,particularlytraditionalmanufacturingisundergoingsignificanttransition,thelevelofmanufacturingoutputisactuallyexpectedtoriseovertimeduetoadvancedmanufacturingopportunitieswithinthesector,including3Dprintingandcomputercontrolledmachinetools.TheIllawarraiswellplacedtotakeadvantageofthisbyleveraging-offtheinnovationand researchexpertiseoftheUniversity,accesstothe internationaltradegatewayatPortKembla,anincreasingstrongdefenceindustryclustergrowingin theShoalhavenandagrowinglightaeronauticsindustrycluster,locatedattheIllawarraRegionalAirport.

How the draft Plan supports manufacturingWewillsupportthemanufacturingsectorbyprovidingawelllocatedandservicedsupplyofindustriallandandprotectexistingimportantemploymentareas.

Logistics and Port-Related IndustriesGrowthinlogistics-relatedindustriesispredictedfortheRegionasthePortofPortKemblaexpandsintocontainerisedtradeandotherexports.

Thegrowthoftheportisalreadycreatingdemandforindustriessuchasshipping,warehousing,distribution,and support services to cater for the expanding trade intovehicleimportation.Improvementstotheportandrelatedinfrastructurecanincreasecompetition,removebarrierstotradeandimprovelinkstodomesticandglobalvaluechains.

How the draft Plan supports logistics and port related industriesWewillsupportthelogisticsandport-relatedsectorbyprovidingawell-locatedandservicedsupplyofindustrialland.Thisisdiscussedinmoredetailonpage26.

Actions to support the growth of the Port will be identifiedintheActionPlanforthePort(seep.26)and include investigating the opportunities for off-siteindustrialareassuchasKemblaGrangetosupportportandport-relateduses.


2.1 Incorporatetheframeworktosupporteconomicgrowthintoabroadereconomicdevelopmentplanfor the Illawarra

DepartmentofPremierandCabinet;NSWTradeandInvestment

Short

2.2 Identifythepotentialfornewvisitorassetsoractivitiesforthetourismindustry

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;DestinationWollongong;TourismShellharbour;KiamaTourism;ShoalhavenTourism;Councils

Medium

2.3 Ensureplanningprinciplesforagedhousingareincorporated into local planning

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils

Medium

2.4 Ensureanongoingcapacityforofficespacethroughlocal planning controls


Ongoing

2.5 SupportthegrowthofTheUniversityofWollongongbycoordinatinginfrastructureandaccessarrangementsandidentifyingstudenthousingopportunities

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;TransportforNSW;WollongongCityCouncil

Short

2.6 EnsureanongoingsupplyofindustriallandsthroughCouncils’LocalPlans


Ongoing

2.7 Investigateoptionstoincreasethesupplyofoff-portindustrial land that can support the ongoing developmentofthePortofPortKembla


Medium


Strengthen the Region’s retail centresCentresconcentrateretailing,commercialandbusinessfunctions,andthedeliveryofGovernmentservicesinoneplace.Publicinvestmentintransport(railandbusinterchanges,hightrafficableroads)and inthepublicspaces(publicdomain)andculturalactivitiesmakestheminterestingandsafeplacesfor thecommunity.

TheIllawarra’scentreshavedevelopedovertimesothat higher order functions are located in the larger centres(e.g.Wollongong,ShellharbourandNowra),whilesuburbancentreshavemaintainedastrongerlocal/districtretailfunctions(forexample,Corrimal,WarillaandUlladulla).Understandinghowthesecentresoperate,howtheyrelatetoeachotherandhowtheyfunctionwithinahierarchyornetworkisimportanttoensureappropriatecompetitionandtosupportexistingpublicinfrastructureinvestment.(A descriptionoftheroleandfunctionoftheIllawarra’scentresiscontainedinAppendixA.)

Growingthenumberofjobsandimprovingaccessis importanttostrengthentheRegion’sretailcentres.Ensuringthatthecentresremainattractivelocationsforretailandofficespace,andbusiness,service,civicandculturaluses,complementedinsomeinstancesbyhigherdensityhousing,isanimportantpartofthisdraftPlan.

OuranalysisoftheIllawarra’scentresshowsthatthereiscapacityforanadditional606,000squaremetresofretailactivity.Thiscomparestothe475,000squaremetresthatisprojectedtomeetthedemandsofthegrowingpopulation.

Ouranalysisalsoshowsthatthecapacityofourcentrestogrowtheirretailingactivityisappropriateto theneedsofthepopulation.Inotherwords,thereis noparticularcentrethatrequiresadditionalretailcapacitythroughnewzoningsorchangestoplanninganddevelopmentcontrols.

Ofcourse,thecapacityforretailgrowthandchangeneedstobecarefullymonitoredintothefutureastrendssuchasonlineretailingtakeeffect.Thiswillallowustoensurethatimpedimentstogrowthareidentifiedandwherepossibleaddressed.


Fromacommercialandbusinessperspective,itis importanttoensurethatthedifferentrolesandfunctionsoftwooftheRegion’slargercentres–WollongongCommercialCoreandShellharbourCity Centre–aswellastheInnovationCampusareclearlyunderstood.

TheUniversityofWollongong’sInnovationCampusis aspecialistcentre,providingaregionalhubforknowledge-basedindustries.Inaddition,thereissomecommercialofficespacelocatedatthesite.To ensurethattheInnovationCampusdoesnotjeopardisetheroleandfunctionoftheWollongongCommercialCore,thedefinitionoftheInnovationCampusasaspecialistcentre,willensurethatplanning controls focus on land use for research and developmententerprises,supportedbyaccommodation,ahotelandconferencecentre,and shopsandservices.

WollongongCentreremainstheIllawarra’sonlyregionalcity,withmajortertiaryeducationandhealthfacilities,strongpublictransport,andakeyroleinprovidinghigherorderbusiness,civic,recreation,communityandentertainmentuses.ShellharbourCity Centre’srolehasbeenincreasinginrecentyears,aidedbyagrowingpopulationandanexpandedrangeofretailfacilitiesandservices.

Flexible design should be encouraged when planning fortheexpansionorredevelopmentofcentrestoensuretheyadapttochangingretail,commercialandsocialtrends,includingadvancesininformationtechnology,andspecifically,theimpactsofe-retailing.

Ensuringthatplanningcontrolsdonotrigidlycontrolhowretailorcommercialfloorspaceisconstructedwill allow buildings to be designed with flexible floor platesthatcanaccommodateinnovationandshiftsin themarket.

TheIllawarra’snetworkofcentres(seeAppendixA)willbeusedbyCouncilsandotherauthoritiestoconsiderwhere,andtowhatlevelinvestmentsshouldbemadeineachcentre.Thisensuresthattheexistingandplannedinvestmentincentres,particularlypublicdomainandinfrastructureismaximised,whileenablingappropriategrowthandchangeinsmallercentressotheycancompeteinachangingretailenvironment.

Protectingthecapabilityofcentrestoprovideemploymentandserviceopportunitiesisalsoanimportantroleofourproposednetwork.Anyproposaltoincreaseordecreasethedevelopmentpotentialofacentre,ortheimpactsofout-of-centreretailing,willbeassessedagainstthenetwork.Anynewproposalsforretailing,particularlyoutsideanexistingcentre,shoulddemonstratethatnewjobswillbecreatedandthatjobsinexistingcentreswillnotbelost.

Centreopportunitieswill,whereverpossible,bestrengthenedbybetteraligningtransportservicesto growthinthecentreandbylimitingout-of-centrecommercialandretailpremises.Wecandothisbyprovidingadequatecapacitywithinthecentre,andpromotingmixedusedevelopmentsthatcanincorporateanumberoflanduses.


2.8 EnsureCouncil-basedmechanismsorcontrolswillsupportthenetworkofcentres,includingresistinginappropriateout-of-centreretailing


Ongoing


Providing well-located and serviced supplies of industrial landProviding vacant land for industrial use gives the IllawarraanopportunitytoexpanditsindustrialactivityandtoattractnewindustriestotheRegion.In ordertounderstandwhetherweneededtozonemorelandforindustrialdevelopmentwecommissionedanauditofindustriallands.

Theauditrevealedthatthereare3,110hectaresoflandzonedforindustrialdevelopment.Ofthetotal,604hectaresarevacant;withthemajoritylocatedineithertheWollongongorShoalhavencouncilareas.21

ThemostcommonlotsizeofindustriallandintheRegionisbetween1,000and5,000squaremetres.SmallerlotsizesarethemostcommonthroughouttheRegion,with85 percentofallindustrialparcelslessthan5,000squaremetresinsize.

Industriallandsmakeanimportantcontributiontothe Illawarraeconomy,byprovidingopportunitiesforatransformingmanufacturingsector,andagrowingresearchanddevelopmentfocus.Withaccesstoadeepwaterport,roadandrailconnections,andaskilledworkforce,theRegionisahighlysoughtafterlocationforindustrialactivities.Basedoncurrentemploymentlandtrends,theavailablesupplyshouldbesufficienttomeetlongtermdemands.

Havingagoodsupplyofindustriallanddependsona numberoffactorsincludingtheservicingofthose

lands;theirlocation,size,andconstraintssuchasflooding,bushfire,andbiodiversity.FromourauditweknowthatthereareanumberofphysicalconstraintswhichaffecttheIllawarra’sindustriallandsupplyincludingbushfire(60 percentofvacantland)andflooding(35 percent).Whilethesearenotconsideredanabsoluteconstraint,theyaddadditionalcomplexityinbringingindustriallandtothemarketandcreatetheriskofalongtermshortfallinemploymentland.

Inadditiontophysicalconstraints,theservicingofwater,sewerandelectricityinfrastructurealsopresentschallengesthatcanimpactonthetake-upof land.Fifty-eight percentofvacantindustriallandin theRegionisservicedbywater;33 percentisservicedbysewer;and78 percentisservicedbyelectricity.KemblaGrange,inparticular,hasbeenhighlightedasanareathatwouldbenefitfromadditionalinfrastructuretosupportdevelopment.

ThecontinuingimportanceofthePortisdrivingdemandfromport-relatedindustriesforlargeindustrial land sites and existing warehousing facilities.Thisdemandissettogrowovertime,especiallyastheouterharbourprecinctdevelopmentplans are realised and the Port opens up to containerisedtrade.

TomakeasmuchlandavailableaspossiblewewillworkcloselywithCouncilsandservicingagenciesto ensurethereisasufficientsupplyofservicedindustriallandintheRegion.Wewillalsomonitorthe supplyofindustriallandsthroughtheEmploymentLandsDevelopmentProgramwhichisanimportanttoolforensuringasustainablesupplyofindustrialland.


2.9 MonitorthesupplyofindustriallandsthroughtheEmploymentLandsDevelopmentProgram

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment

Ongoing

2.10 Collaborate with servicing agencies to support the markettake-upofindustrialland

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Servicingagencies;Councils

Ongoing


Investigating the economic potential of land owned by Local Aboriginal Land CouncilsOCHRE(Opportunity,Choice,Healing,Responsibility,Empowerment)istheNSWGovernment’splanforAboriginalaffairs.ItfocusesonrevitalisingandpromotingAboriginallanguagesandculture;creatingopportunities;increasingtheAboriginalcommunity’scapacity;providingchoice;andempoweringAboriginalpeopletoexercisethatchoice,aswellasgivingthemthetoolstotakeresponsibilityfortheirownfuture.

ThedevelopmentofOCHREunderpinskeyrecommendationsmadebytheMinisterialTaskforceonAboriginalAffairswhichhighlightstheimportanceof genuine partnerships with the Aboriginal communityinordertofosterwealthandstrengtheneconomicindependence.

WhilethemajorityofOCHREactionsareoutsidetheplanningsystem,thereisanopportunitytolookattheland holdings of Aboriginal Land Councils to see how theycanbebestplanned,managedanddevelopedfor thebenefitofthelocalAboriginalCommunity.This willallowAboriginalpeopletogainrealeconomicbenefitfromtheirlandandprovidegreateropportunitiesforeconomicindependence.

Workingtogether,AboriginalAffairsNSWandPlanningandEnvironment,willidentifyapilotprojectwith one of the Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs)toidentifytheirlandholdingsandtomapthelevelofconstraintsforeachsite.Thisshouldcreateavaluablesourceofinformationwhichcanbeusedtodevelop real and practical solutions to the potential commercialuseoftheland,forexample,forhousingandemploymentopportunitiesforAboriginalpeople.IthaspotentialtoprovideeconomicreturnstotheLALCswhichcanbeinvestedinassistanceprogramsintheRegion.

Theoverallobjectiveofthisprojectistoencouragegreatereconomicself-determinationandreducethedisadvantageexperiencedbyIndigenouspeople.


2.11 ConductapilotprojectforthestrategicassessmentoflandheldbyaLocalAboriginalLandCouncil

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;AboriginalAffairsNSW

Short


3 MEETING THE ILLAWARRA’S DEMAND FOR HOUSING

EssentialtoanyplanforthegrowthoftheIllawarraisthesupplyof appropriatehousing.Unlikemanyotherregionsandplaces,theIllawarracantakeadvantageofbothitsplannednewreleaseareas, andthepotentialforrenewalinitsexistingareas,tomeethousing demands.

Generallyspeaking,therightplanningframeworkisalreadyinplacetomeetthishousingdemand,althoughitisimportanttocontinuetomonitorhousingactivityandtotakeactiontoencouragetheconstructionofappropriatetypesofhousingintherightplaces.

Wewillneedatleast45,000newhomesbetweennowand2031tocaterforanadditional65,000residentsintheRegion.Withoneinfourresidentsaged65yearsandolderandmoreoneandtwopersonhouseholdsthelocationofnewhousingandthemixofavailablehousingwillbeanimportantconsiderationasweplanforgrowth.

Housingcapacitiesestablishedthroughourevidencebase(UrbanFeasibilityModel,IllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramandShoalhavenGrowthManagementStrategy)indicatesasufficientsupplyof feasiblehousingacrossarangeoflocationsanddwellingtypes.WhilethisgivesusconfidencethattheRegion’scurrentpolicysettingsaregenerallycorrectandfollowingmarketexpectations,thereismoreworkto be done to ensure this potential translates to new housingconstructionintheRegion.

OurdraftPlanisveryfocussedon:■■ identifyingopportunitiesforhousingcapacityacrossarangeoflocationsanddwellingtypes

■■ deliveringtherightmixofhousingwithanemphasisonresolvingimpedimentsinlanduse controlsandassessmentprocesses

■■ coordinatingtheinfrastructureandpublicdomainimprovementsrequiredtosupporthousinggrowth

■■ monitoringhousingsupplytoensureregionalandlocalhousingtargetsaremet

■■ ensuringnewhousingdevelopmentsachievegood urbandesignoutcomes.

Options for the growth of the IllawarraAnyplantoshapethefuturegrowthoftheIllawarrahastoaccommodatethephysicallandscapeoftheRegionwhichlimitstheoptionsforexpansionofgrowth.ThisincludestheIllawarraescarpmentandits importantwatercatchmentareastothewest,Lake Illawarraandcoastalareastotheeast.There are potentialgrowthareasavailableinthe Shoalhaven,butonlyifcarefullymanaged.

Toarriveatapreferredgrowthoptionweaskedthequestion–whereshouldnewhousingbelocatedto meetbothcommunityandmarketdemands?Weansweredthisquestionbygatheringandanalysinga rangeofdataandevidenceandbyconsideringthefeedbackwereceivedfromthecommunityandstakeholders.

In assessing the options to shape the housing growth of the Region we have used a new and powerful tool calledtheUrbanFeasibilityModel(UFM).Thismodelenables us to understand both the theoretical capacityfordevelopmentofanareaunderexistingplanninganddevelopmentcontrols,aswellastheamountofdevelopmentthatisfeasible,givencurrentmarketconditions.

UsingtheUFMtoassesshousingoptionshasgivenustheabilitytoseewheredevelopmentwouldrealisticallyoccurandwhetherthereviewofplanninganddevelopmentcontrols(suchasincreasingheightsanddensitycontrolsorzoningnewareasfordevelopment)wouldbeeffective.

Wealsoanalysedtheinfrastructureneedsandconsideredplanningmeritandmarketpreferencesin assessingtheoptionsforgrowth.


Bybuildingtheevidencebaseandtestingoptionswehavebeenabletoidentifythebestwayofdeliveringdevelopmenttosupportgrowth,whichwerefertoasthe‘balancedgrowth’approach.

Preferred option –Balanced Growth ThisapproachtoaccommodatinghousinggrowthgenerallyreflectstheRegion’scurrentpatternofhousingactivityandsupportstheongoinggrowthof theIllawarra’scentres,andtakesadvantageofexistinginfrastructureinvestments.Thisoptionisalsoinlinewithhistoricalandforecastmarketpreferencesforhousing.

The balanced approach to delivering growth would seeavirtuallyequalcontributionofhousingopportunities delivered in new release areas and existingurbanareas.Thisisquitedifferenttootherlargeregionalareaswherethesupplyofhousingisoftenpredominantlyfromnewreleaseareasinfringelocations.Italsoreflectsthegeographicallyconstrained nature of the Illawarra where new release areashaveneededtobecarefullyplannedtoprotectthemfromotherusesorfragmentation.

Underthebalancedapproachtogrowthitispossibletosubstantiallyutiliseexistingidentifiedgreenfieldgrowth areas and the current planning and developmentcontrolsinexistingareas,tosupplytheexpected45,000newhomesneededby2031.Thisoptionalsoretainssurpluscapacityinbothgreenfieldand existing urban areas which will allow the region to respondtoanyshiftsinthehousingmarketthatmayoccurinthefuture.

Other options Severalothergrowthoptionsforhousingdeliverywere considered and assessed as part of the process todetermineafinalpreferredgrowthoption,butwerediscountedforthereasonsoutlinedbelow.

Focus housing in existing urban areas optionThisoptioncanvassedtheimplicationsif70 percentofnewhousingwasprovidedthroughmulti-dwellinghousingandapartmentsinexistingurbanareas.The UFMtellsusthatevenifweincreasedheight,

floor space and other controls across existing urban areasthatthereisnotastrongenoughdemandforhigherdensityhousingtoencouragethemarketundercurrentconditionstobuildthesetypesofdwellings.

Keyimplicationswouldinclude:■■ redistributionofgrowthfromthesouthoftheregiontoWollongongasaresultofthelimitedfeasiblecapacityofmulti-dwellinghousingandapartmentsintheseareas

■■ theneedtoencouragemorehousinginexistingareasbyslowingdown developmentinalreadyidentifiednewreleaseareasbypotentiallywithholdinginfrastructureand servicinginvestmentsand/orhaltingplannedrezonings

■■ the potential redirection of growth to other regions ashomebuyersseekingnewreleasestylehousinglookforopportunitieselsewhereinresponsetolimitedlocallyavailablelots.

Majority greenfield areasThisoptiontestedtheimplicationsif70 percentof housingwassuppliedingreenfieldareas.Keyimplicationswouldinclude:■■ significant underutilisation of existing infrastructureinvestmentsinestablishedareas

■■ underutilisationoftheavailablecapacityfornewdwellingsaroundwell-servicedcentres,forexample,thecapacityofthenortherngrowthcorridororKiamatowncentremaynotbeutilisedwithconsequentialimplicationsforservicesandongoingtransportnetworks

■■ theneedtoconsiderthedownzoningofexistingareastoredirecthousingdemandtowardsgreenfield areas

■■ theneedtoidentifyadditionalreleaseareasbeyondthosecurrentlyincludedintheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram.Thiswouldrequiredetailedstrategicassessmentofpotentialsites,takingintoaccountthevalueofthelandforotherusesincludingagriculture,resources,Aboriginalheritageandbiodiversity.ThisisalsonotsupportedbythecommunityfeedbacktotheDiscussionPaper.


Delivering a mix of appropriate housing to meet demandUnderthebalancedgrowthoption,growthintheRegion will continue to be encouraged in both existing urbanareasandgreenfieldareasinawaythatdeliversasurpluscapacityforarangeofhousingtypesacrosstheRegionwithafocusonkeycentres.

Housing demand Thetargetof45,000dwellingsinthisdraftPlanhas beendevelopedtakingintoaccountprojectedpopulationgrowth,housingdemandandmixtomeet theneedsofhouseholds,aswellasfactoringin allowancesfortourismopportunitiesandasupply surplus.

The population of the region is forecast to grow by 65,000peopleovertheperiodto2031andthecompositionofthepopulationisalsosettochangeoverthattime.By2031,oneinfourpeople(25 percent)intheIllawarrawillbeagedover65years–

almost115,000people.Therewillalsobeachangeinthestructureofhouseholdswithsignificantincreasesinthenumberofloneperson(32 percent)andcouplesonly(33 percent)households.

Inadditiontoprojectedgrowth,thedemandforrentedholidayhomesandunitsisalsoafactorinfluencingthedemandforhousing,particularlyinthesouthernpartoftheRegion.In2011,overaquarterofalldwellingsintheShoalhavenwereidentifiedasunoccupied,showingthestrongdemandforholidayhomesinthearea.

Factoring a reasonable housing surplus into our understandingofhousingdemandwillensurethatour housingpolicyismorerobustagainstunforseenconstraintstodevelopment,including,forexample,delaysinthesupplyofhousingorunevenratesofdevelopment.

Councils will be expected to plan for a range of housingtargetstosuittheprojectedgrowth,changingdemographicssuchasanageingpopulation,andmarketdemandparticulartoeach.

Housing targets by LGA

LGA SINGLE DWELLING HOUSING

MULTI DWELLING HOUSING

APARTMENTS TOTAL

Wollongong 6,850 8,650 2,950 18,450

Shellharbour 8,000 3,150 100 11,250

Kiama 1,900 700 1,000 3,600

Shoalhaven 8,200 3,500 0 11,700

TOTAL 24,950 16,000 4,050 45,000


Housing supplyUnderthebalancedapproachtohousing,thekeycentres within the northern growth corridor and the WollongongCityCentrewouldaccommodatethemajorityofnewmulti-dwellinghousingandapartmentsintheRegion.

GreenfielddevelopmentunderthebalancedscenarioisfocussedonthemajorregionalreleaseareasofWestLakeIllawarraandNowra-Bomaderry,althoughthereareanumberofotherestablishedandsmallerreleaseareathataddtothediversityofsupplyintheregion(seetableonpage48).

Thetablebelowshowsthefeasiblecontributionofeachofthegreenfieldandexistingurbanarealocationstomeetingthe45,000dwellingtarget.

EXISTING URBAN AREA LOCATION DWELLINGS GREENFIELD LOCATION DWELLINGS

Northern growth corridor 5,000 West Lake Illawarra 27,000

Wollongong City Centre 5,850 Nowra-Bomaderry 10,600

Oak Flats/Shellharbour City Centre 880 Shell Cove – Boat Harbour 1,050

Kiama Town Centre 760 Greenfield – dispersed2 3,700

Existing urban areas – dispersed1 11,700

Total 24,190 Total 42,350

1Includesfeasiblecapacityformulti-dwellingsaroundWollongong,andsingledwellingsinShoalhaven.

2Seetableonpage48foralistofdispersedgreenfieldlocations.

Asthereissufficientcapacityinbothgreenfieldandexistingurbanareastoaccommodatehousingtargetsonaregionallevel,thisdraftPlandoesnotidentifyadditionalgreenfieldlandbeyondthatalreadystrategicallyidentifiedundertheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramandtheShoalhavenGrowthManagementStrategy.

WhilethelocationofnewurbandevelopmenthasbeenidentifiedinthedraftPlanwewillstillconsiderdevelopmentoutsideoftheseboundariesifacompellingcasecanbedemonstratedastothemeritoftherezoningproposalandthereisnocosttotheGovernment.Anexampleofthisisthecurrentconsiderationofplanningproposalstorezonelandat Helensburgh.


Existing Urban AreasThereisasignificantzonedcapacityfornewhousingin existing urban areas across the Region under currentplanningcontrols–almost215,000potentialnewdwellings.Itisimportanthowever,thatregionalhousingpolicyreflectswhatthemarketisabletodeliver(i.e.marketfeasibility),andinfrastructureand servicingconstraints.

TheUrbanFeasibilityModel(UFM),tellsusthattherealisticandfeasiblecapacityoftheexistingurbanareasintheIllawarraisamuchsmaller24,100dwellings,withWollongongaccountingfor62 percent,followedbyShoalhaven,ShellharbourandKiama.Halfofthisfeasiblecapacityisinmulti-dwellinghousing(12,200),followedbyapartments(6,270)andsingledwellinghousing(5,700).

AspartofourUrbanFeasibilityModelling,wehavetested whether changes to planning controls would makemoredevelopmentmorefeasible.Theevidenceshowsthattherearesomechangestoplanningcontrolsthatwillincreasethesupplyoffeasibledevelopmentincertainareas,forexample,lotwidthcontrolsinWollongong,andheightsanddensitycontrolsinKiama.Changestoplanningcontrolsinmostotherareasareunlikelytoprovidemorefeasibilitygiventhemismatchbetweenwhatpeoplearepreparedtopayforthatformofhousingandthecostsofdevelopment,forexample,anincreaseinallowableheightsinthenortherngrowthcorridor.

UnderourdraftPlan,anumberofexistingurbanareashavebeenidentifiedtofulfiltheRegion’shousingdemand,duetotheirproximitytotransportandkeyservices,andmarketfeasibility.Theseareasincludecentres within the northern growth corridor (for multi-dwellinghousingsupply),andWollongongCity Centre(forthesupplyofapartments).

Thereisalsosomefeasiblecapacityformulti-dwelling housing in those areas outside of the WollongongCityCentreandnortherngrowthcorridorwithin the Wollongong Council area such as Helensburgh,WestWollongong,MangertonandKeiraville.InthesouthernpartoftheRegion,thereis somefeasiblecapacityformulti-dwellinghousingin OakFlatsandShellharbourCityCentre,aswellas multi-dwellinghousingandapartmentsinKiamatowncentre.

Itisimportantthatweensurethereisasurpluscapacityoffeasiblehousinginexistingurbanareasso thatwecanwithstandanyshiftsinmarketconditions.UsingtheUFM,wehavelookedathowwe couldincreasethefeasiblecapacityofourexistingurbanareasbyreviewinganumberofplanningcontrols(suchasincreasingheightsanddensitycontrols)inthenortherngrowthcorridor,WollongongCityCentre,OakFlats,ShellharbourCityCentre,KiamaandGerringong.Wewillcontinuetoworkwithcouncils to review planning controls in existing urban areastoprovideforasurplusfeasiblecapacityforarangeofhousingtypes.

TherearealsosignificantopportunitiesforurbanrenewalinotherpartsoftheRegionthatmaynotcurrentlybefeasible,includinginandaroundcentressuchasWarilla,Dapto,Nowra,Vincentia,AlbionPark,UlladullaandUnanderra.Theseareashavegoodaccesstotransportandservicesandovertimetheymaybecomeincreasinglyattractivetothemarket,andofferlongtermcapacityforhousing.

Astheseareasareimportantfutureinfilllocationsshouldtherebechangestomarketdemands,ourplanningcontrolsshouldpreservethecapacityforhigherdensityhousingandgreaterhousingdiversityintheseareas,tomaximisetheuseofavailableinfrastructureandaccesstotransportandservices.

Greenfield AreasLandidentifiedundertheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramandtheShoalhavenGrowthManagementPlanhascapacityfor42,300greenfieldlots,with52 percent(22,330)currentlyzonedfordevelopment.

TherearetwomajorgreenfieldareasintheRegion–WestLakeIllawarra(WestDapto,CalderwoodandTallawarra)andNowra-Bomaderry.Theseareashaveanidentifiedcapacityof37,500lots,representinga30 to40yearsupplyofhousing,whichwillenableWollongong,ShellharbourandShoalhavenCouncilsto meettheirhousingtargetsforgreenfieldlandsupply,beyond2031.


Shell Cove Boat HarbourPotential for 210 single dwellings, 420 multi dwellings and 420 apartments

Nowra-Bomaderry Release AreasCapacity for 10,600 greenfield dwellings (6,375 zoned)

West Lake Illawarra Release AreasCapacity for 21,560 single dwellings and 5,440 multi dwellings

Kiama Town CentreFeasible capacity for 760 apartments

Oak Flats/Shellharbour CityFeasible capacity for 880 multi dwellings

27,000 West Lake Illawarra

10,600 Nowra-Bomaderry Release Area

Total Gre

GREENFIELD CAPACITY27,000 West Lake Illawarra Release Area

10,600 Nowra-Bomaderry Release Area

Total Greenfield: 42,350

2

1. Existing urban area capacity also exists in pockets through the Region - this includes capacity for multi dwellings in small precincts close to Wollongong as well as single dwellings in Shoalhaven.

2. Greenfield capacity also exists in smaller release areas at places such as Bulli, Figtree, Tullimbar, South Gerringong, West Culburra, Sussex Inlet and Manyana.

Northern growth corridorFeasible capacity for 5,000 multi dwellings

Wollongong City CentreFeasible capacity for 5,850 apartments

EXISTING URBAN AREA CAPACITY5,000 Northern Growth Corridor5,850 Wollongong City Centre880 Oak Flats/Shellharbour760 Kiama Town Centre11,700 Remaining

Total Infill: 24,190

1

NOWRA-BOMADERRY INSET

NOWRA

KiamaKiama

Legend

Existing urban area capacity

Greenfield capacity

Princes Motorway

Other opportunities within existing urban areas Feasible capacity for 11,700 additional dwellings

Major Roads

Port Kembla


DAPTODAPTO

Regional City


Major Town

1,050 Shell Cove Boat Harbour

3,700 Remaining

TherearealsoanumberofothergreenfieldreleaseareaswhichareexpectedtocontinuetomakeanimportantcontributiontohousingdiversitythroughouttheRegionincludingthoselocationsshowninthetablebelow:

WOLLONGONG SHELLHARBOUR KIAMA SHOALHAVEN

Sandon Point Shell Cove SpringCreek Manyana

Bulli AlbionParkSouth Jamberoo Dolphin Point

HaywardsBay Tullimbar SouthKiama Vincentia

Figtree Dunmore South Gerringong Sussex Inlet

Flinders Berry

West Culburra

Kiamaislikelytohaveamorelimitedroleinregionalhousingsupply.TheKiamaandGerringongtowncentreswillprovideurbaninfillopportunities,however,thereisalackofgreenfieldcapacityinKiama,whichmayconstrainamixofhousingtypestocaterforfirsthomebuyers,youngfamilies,retireesandtosupportpeoplewhowanttoageintheirhomes.

KiamaCouncilhasidentifiedanumberofpotentialgreenfieldareasinitsUrbanStrategythatcanassistinmeetingdemand,providedtheycanbeappropriatelyconsideredthroughtherezoningprocess.WewillworkwithKiamaCounciltoreviewthepotentialoftheseareas,andtoidentifyanappropriateboundaryforthesouthernexpansionof Gerringong,notingtheimportanceofmaintainingGerringongandGerroaasseparateurbanareas.

AffordabilityHousingstressoccurswhenlowerincomehouseholdsarepayingmorethan30 percentoftheirincomeonrentormortgagecosts.Basedon2011ABSdata,27 percentofallhouseholdsintheRegionareexperiencinghousingstress,while35 percentofhouseholdsonmoderate,lowandverylowincomesareexperiencinghousingstress.TheRegionalsohasalowerproportionofprivaterentalaccommodation,contributingtoalowvacancyrateof1.6percent.

Strongdemandforhousingforrentalandpurchasehascreatedachallengeforlowerincomeresidents,students,singlepersonhouseholdsandseniors.Contributingtothechallengeisalackofone,twoand threebedroomhomesduetoanincreaseinthe numberoflargerfourbedroomhomes.

ThedraftPlan’sprincipalresponsetothisissueistoensureasufficientcapacityofhousingsupplyacrosstheRegionandtoprovideawidevarietyofhousingtypesandsizessounduepressureisnotplacedonmarketsthatwoulddriveuphousingprices.Councilswill also be encouraged to plan for a range of housing types(includingsmalllothousing)inappropriatelocationswithaccesstotransport,services,infrastructureandjobs.


Inabroadersensewearecontinuingtolookathousingaffordabilityissuestoseeiftherearestatewidesolutions.Thereareanumberofpotentialapproaches that can help deal with the issue of housingaffordabilityacrosstheState,including:■■ planningincentives,suchasincreasesindensityto provideaffordablehousing

■■ affordable housing contributions to fund the provisionofnewhousingbycommunityhousingorganisations

■■ encouraging new generation boarding houses and secondarydwellingssuchasgrannyflats

■■ consideringplanninganddevelopmentcontrolstofacilitateaffordablehousingdevelopmentbylocalcommunityhousingorganisations.

TheavailabilityandaffordabilityofsuitableaccommodationtohousethestudentsattendingtheUniversityofWollongongandlocalTAFEshasbeenanongoingissue.Wewillworkwithkeystakeholders

toexamineoptionsfortheEducationPrecinctandtheWollongongCentremorebroadly,toseewhetheroptionsexistforhigherdensityapartmentlivingwithgoodaccesstotheUniversity.

TheRegioncomprisesanumberofpublichousingestateswhich,whileprovidingimportantaccommodationoptionsforour mostvulnerableresidents,arenotwellmatchedtotheneedsofthecurrentoccupants,who wouldbe betterservedbysmallerhomesandmulti-dwellinghousingineasierto gettolocations.MuchofthecurrenthousingstockintheRegion’spublichousingestatesisalsoageingwhichis increasingthecostofmaintenance.

TheNSWLandandHousingCorporationiscurrentlyundertakingaprogramtoreviewpublichousingestatesacrossNSW.WhentheIllawarraisreviewedasapartofthisprogram,thedraftPlanwillbeusedasakeyinput,providinganunderstandingofhousingsupply,demandandaffordabilityissuesrelevantto theRegion.


3.1 EnsureasurpluscapacityforhousinginexistingurbanareastoaccommodatearangeofhousingtypesthroughouttheRegionbyrequiringCouncilstoregularlyreviewtheirstrategiesforhousinganddemonstratetheachievementofhousingtargets

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Ongoing

3.2 ExplorethepotentialtoshiftplanningcontrolsinKiamaandGerringongtowncentrestogeneratemorefeasiblehousingsupplyinexistingurbanareas

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;KiamaMunicipalCouncil

Short

3.3 Review the potential of the greenfield release areas identifiedintheKiamaUrbanStrategy,andidentifyanappropriateboundaryforthesouthernexpansionof Gerringong


Short


Delivering housing in new release areasNewreleaseareasintheRegionareexpectedtoaccountfor57percent(or25,650)ofthe45,000newhomesrequiredto2031–thisequatestoapproximately1,300newlotsperyear.

Whileasignificantzonedcapacityofgreenfieldlandis availableintheRegion,theavailabilityofzonedland onitsownhasnottranslatedintothedeliveryof newlotsandhomesinrecentyears.LandreleaseareasidentifiedundertheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramhaveunder-deliveredrelativetolotproductionbenchmarksoverthelast10years.Inapositivesign,thenumberofgreenfielddwellingshasincreasedforthepasttwoyears,thefirsttimein10yearstherehasbeentwoconsecutiveyearincreases.Thisshowstheincreasingconfidenceofthedevelopmentsectorabouttheabilitytoincreaselotproduction,projectinganaverageannuallotproductioninexcessof1,000overthenextfiveyears.

WehavealreadyidentifiedthemostsignificantreleaseareasasassetsthatcantransformtheRegion.OurfocusforthenewreleaseareasisthedeliveryofhousingandissupportedthroughtheactionplansforRegionalReleaseAreas(WestLakeIllawarraandNowra-Bomaderryseep.21–22).

Eventhoughthereisanupswinginlotproduction,the needtocoordinatethedeliveryofnewhousingandinfrastructureingreenfieldareasremainsapriority.Thefocusshouldbeonmaintainingstrongand sustained increases in housing construction to overcomethelowlevelsofproductionoverthelastdecade.Toachievethis,weneedtoconcentrateonservicinglotsandmakingthem‘developmentready’torespondtomarketdemand.Wealsoneedtoresolveassessmentissuessuchasbiodiversityandheritagetoensurethatprojectsarenotdelayedthroughtheapprovalprocess.WehaveprovidedaforumtoaddressthesemattersthroughtheIntegratedDelivery Framework.

Integrated Delivery FrameworkTheIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkrepresentsanewgovernancemechanismtoclearlyidentifyresponsibilityforactions.Itusesaprojectmanagementapproachtoidentify,plan,costanddeliverinfrastructure.ThisframeworkhasbeenimplementedfortheWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderryreleaseareaswhichhasenabledusto:■■ resolveaccessarrangementstothereleaseareasinconsultationwithTransportforNSW

■■ maintainanongoingdiscussiononStateandlocaldevelopmentlevies

■■ coordinate infrastructure planning■■ overseeanIntegratedAssessmentGroupto

ensure there is a consistent approach to State andlocalplanningrequirementsfornewreleaseareasintheRegion.

TheIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkforWestLakeIllawarraandNowra-Bomaderrywillcontinuetobeanimportantactionforusaswefacilitatethedeliveryofnewhousinginnewreleaseareas.Successes have included enabling Wollongong Counciltosecure$22 millionforthefundingofFowlersRoadBridge,prioritisingbiodiversitycertificationinvestigationsforWestDaptoandresolving the planning future of the Western BypassatNowrathroughplanningcontrolsinthe ShoalhavenLocalEnvironmentalPlan.


Constantlymonitoringhowweareperformingin termsofhousingdelivery,andbeingpreparedto adjustplanninganddevelopmentcontrolsasnecessary,willbeanimportantpartofourplanfor the Illawarra.

TheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram(IUDP)is ourkeytoolformanaginglandandhousingsupplyintheIllawarra.ItaccompaniestheMetropolitanDevelopmentProgram(MDP),whichmanageslandandhousingsupplyfortheSydneyMetropolitanRegion.TheIUDPmonitorstheplanning,servicing

anddevelopmentofnewurbanareasinWollongong,ShellharbourandKiama,aswellastheprovisionofhousinginexistingurbanareas.

TheIUDPwillcontinuetocoordinatethereleaseoflandandredevelopmentofexistingurbanareasandwillbeextendedtoincludeurbanareasinShoalhaven.Itwillbeusedtomonitoreachcouncilarea’scapacitytomeetthehousingtargetsinthisdraftPlan.Anannualupdatereportontheprogramispreparedwhichcanbefoundat:www.strategy.planning.nsw.gov.au/illawarra/iudp


3.4 ContinueimplementingtheIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkforWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderry


Ongoing

3.5 ContinuetomonitorlandandhousingsupplythroughtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram,andincorporate the Shoalhaven LGA


Ongoing

Delivering well-designed and vibrant neighbourhoodsGoodurbandesigniscriticaltothehealth,safetyandwellbeingofthecommunity.Thedesignofourcentresshouldbeattractiveandwelcomingtopeopleofallages–bothpedestriansandcyclists–andprovidepublicspacesforthecommunitytomeet,socialise,workandrelax.

Well-designedcentresplayanimportantroleinsupportinghealthylifestylesandactivelivingwhichcontributestoindividualphysicalandmentalhealth,butalsotosocialcohesionandcommunitywellbeing.We need to provide opportunities for people to be physicallyactivewherepeoplework,andinourneighbourhoods.Todothis,weneedtoconsiderthedesignandlocationofrecreationfacilities,parksandpublicbuildings,andhowtoconnectpeopletotheseareasbypublictransport.

Neighbourhoodsshouldcreatesafeandsociallyinclusiveplacesthatpromotesocial,culturalandrecreationalopportunities.Theyshouldalsomeetthe differentneedsofthepopulation–children,youngpeople,families,peoplewithdisabilities,andtheageingcommunity.

Revitalisationofourneighbourhoodsshouldpromotecommunitydevelopmentandwellbeing.Theyshouldbeeasytogettoandsafe,compactandthereforeeasytowalkaround,andwaterandenergyefficient.

ThedraftPlan’sfocusisonopportunitiesfornewhousingdevelopmentinkeycentres,astheselocationsarewithinwalkingdistancetojobs,transport,services,culturalfacilitiesandamenities.


Neighbourhood planning principlesGoodurbandesignoutcomesarecriticalforallformsof housing in new release areas and existing urban areas.UsingtheNeighbourhoodPlanningPrinciples(below)willensureourplanningfornewsuburbsand revitalisedcentrespromoteaccesstojobs,awelcomingpublicdomain,arangeoflandusesandtransportchoice.CouncilswillusetheNeighbourhoodPlanning Principles when preparing their Local Plans andDevelopmentControlPlans.

Withasignificantageingpopulation,housingshouldbe located close to active and interesting public spaces,anditshouldbewell-designedandadaptable.

Adaptable housing has a flexible floor plan that enablessimplemodificationstosuitthechangingneedsofresidents.Adaptablehousingallowspeopletoageintheirownhomesastheirlevelofmobilitychanges.

The revitalisation of centres should be sensitive to andcomplementthecharacterandlifestyleofthecentres.ThisisparticularlyimportantintheShoalhaven,whichhas49townsandvillageswhichcontributetothecharacteroftheRegion.Issuesthatneed to be considered include neighbourhood character,communityintegration,protectingandenhancingopenspaceandrecreationopportunities,andtheefficientuseofexistingandplannedinfrastructure.

Neighbourhood Planning Principles (NPP)TheNPPprovideoverarchingprinciplesthatmayapplytonewdevelopmentsinbothgreenfieldandinexistingurbanareas.Theapplicationoftheprinciplesmayapplymorestronglydependingonthecontextoftheproposeddevelopment.■■ Publictransportnetworksthatlinkfrequentbusesintotherailsystem

■■ Arangeoflandusestoprovidetherightmixofhouses,jobs,openspace,recreationalspaceandgreen space

■■ Easyaccesstomajortowncentreswithafullrangeofshops,recreationalfacilitiesandservicesalongwithsmallervillagecentresandneighbourhood shops

■■ Jobsavailablelocallyandregionally,reducingthedemandfortransportservices

■■ Streets and suburbs planned so that residents canwalktoshopsfortheirdailyneeds

■■ A wide range of housing choices to provide for differentneedsanddifferentincomes.Traditionalhousesonindividualblockswillbeavailablealongwithsmaller,lowermaintenancehomes,unitsandterracesforolderpeopleandyoungsingles or couples

■■ Housingdiversitycanbefacilitatedbyproviding a numberofpurpose-designedsmaller lotsanddwellings

■■ Newhousingdevelopmentsaretoprovideaproportion of adaptable housing to further increase housing choice across the Region to cater for the ever changing needs of its residents

■■ Conservation lands in and around the developmentsites,tohelpprotectbiodiversityand provide open space for recreation

■■ Minimisethenegativeimpactsonthenaturalwatercycleandprotectthehealthofaquaticsystems,forexample,throughWaterSensitiveUrbanDesignprinciples.


3.6 ImplementneighbourhoodplanningprinciplesinLocalPlans,DevelopmentControlPlans,andothercouncilbasedmechanisms


Ongoing


4 PROVIDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR THE ILLAWARRA’S GROWTH

Growthcannotbesustainedwithoutsupportinginfrastructure.Itisessentialforcommunitywellbeingandtosupporteconomicgrowth.

OurdraftPlanfortheIllawarraacknowledgesthatinfrastructureplanningisessentialtomatchgrowthwithservicesandfacilities,andalsotoactasatriggerforinvestmentinstrategicinfrastructurewhichcanhelptostrengthentheeconomy.

Our focus is to enable the draft Illawarra Regional GrowthandInfrastructurePlantoassistthedeliveryofinfrastructureintheIllawarra,intherightplaceandattherighttimetomatchcommunityneeds.

ToidentifyinfrastructureprioritiesfortheIllawarra,we’veinvestigated:■■ currentinfrastructureplansandstrategies,suchas theNSWLongTermTransportMasterPlan,IllawarraRegionalTransportPlanandSydneyWater’swastewaterservicingstrategy

■■ thedemandsfornewinfrastructurearisingfromgrowth in greenfield release areas and how new investmentscanbecoordinatedtomatchandsupport growth

■■ thecapacityofinfrastructureinexistingareasto accommodateadditionaldevelopment

■■ thepotentialtosupporteconomicgrowthsectorsthroughstrategicinfrastructureinvestments.

Understandingtheinfrastructurecapacitiesandopportunities in the Region has enabled us to align regionaleconomicandhousingoutcomestoexistingandplannedinfrastructureinvestments.ThedraftPlanproposes an annual growth infrastructure planning process to ensure the allocation of State funds through the budget process continues to align with priorities and opportunitiestosupportregionalgrowth.Opportunitiesforprivatesectordeliveryofinfrastructurewillalsocontinue to be investigated to encourage innovation in theprovisionofgrowthinfrastructure.

Current infrastructure commitmentsTherearealreadyanumberofinfrastructureprojectssignificanttothedevelopmentandgrowthoftheIllawarrathatarecommittedorunderway:■■ upgradesofthePrincesHighwaytoprovidetwolanesineachdirectionfromWaterfalltoJervisBayRoad(includesmultiplemajorroadsprojects)

■■ safetyupgradeofthePictonRoad/M1intersectionandslowvehicleclimbinglanesonMountOusleyRoadthatwillalsoimprovefreightcapacity

■■ PortKemblaouterharbourdevelopment–thiswilladdtothestockoflandavailableforportrelateddevelopmentandprovidetwonewberths

■■ water and wastewater infrastructure to support the developmentoftheinitialstagesoftheWestLakeIllawarrareleaseareas

■■ upgrades to Wollongong and Shoalhaven Hospitals,includingtheupgradestotheEmergencyservices,andthenewWollongongHospitalcar park

■■ ShellCoveBoatHarbour(privateinvestment)toenabletheconstructionofanewmarinaandaccompanyingtouristprecinct.

TheState’sinfrastructurecommitmentsintheIllawarraprioritiseassetsthatboostproductivitygrowthsuchastransportprojectsthatalleviatecongestion,andsocialinfrastructurethatimprovesthequalityofservicesintheRegion.Theconstructionphaseoftheseinvestmentsalsoprovidesacapitalexpenditureboost thatcontributestotheregionaleconomy.

WearealsointheplanningphaseforanumberofinfrastructureplanningprojectsthathavethepotentialtotransformtheRegionincludingtheM1YallahtoOakFlatsextension(AlbionParkRailBypass),theMaldonDombartonrailline,thethirdrivercrossingoftheShoalhaven,andShellharbourHospitalupgrade.


Supporting housing growth through infrastructure In developing our plans for future housing for the Illawarrawehavelookedcarefullyattheopportunitiesandthecapacitiesofourinfrastructurenetworks.Whereverpossible,wehavelookedtouseexistingcapacitiesininfrastructure(forexample,water/sewer,roadsandhealthservices),whenidentifyingfuturegrowthareas.Wehavealsobeenabletoidentifythoseplacesandinfrastructurenetworkswheresome augmentationorupgradeswillbenecessaryto accommodatefuturegrowth.

Understandingtheinfrastructureimplicationsofnewgrowth depends on whether that growth is occurring throughinfillorredevelopmentinexistingareas,oristhecreationofentirelynewsuburbsinourgreenfieldareas.Typically,thetypeofinfrastructurethatismostaffectedbythelocationofgrowthistheenablinginfrastructureofpipes,wires,roadsandinsomecasesschools,whilethesortsofinfrastructurethataremostaffectedbyregion-widegrowthinclude‘tertiary’stylehealthcare(teachinghospitals)anduniversities.

As our plans for housing in the Illawarra use both greenfieldandexistingurbanareas,wehavelookedat theinfrastructureimplicationsofgrowthbasedon thesedifferentareas.

Existing urban areasHealthTheIllawarraShoalhavenLocalHealthDistricthascompleteditsstrategicplanfortheRegionwhichhighlightstheroleofWollongongHospitalasareferralandteachinghospital.ThedevelopmentofWollongongHospitalasaprincipalreferralhospitalis asignificantfactorinachievingself-sufficiencyinsecondaryservicesandselectedtertiaryservices.UndertheLocalHealthDistrict’sStrategicPlan,theIllawarrawillessentiallyhavea‘stratified’approachto healthservices.

WollongongHospitalwillcontinueitsroleasthedistrict-widetertiaryreferralhospitalforacuteinpatientservices,aswellasprovideacutehublevelservicesfortheNorthernIllawarra,withBulliandColedaleHospitalsidentifiedforspecialisedservices.ThisreflectsthesignificantinvestmentthathasbeenmadeintheHospitalanditscampusoverthelast15 years.Theoperationandpotentialofthishealthprecinct will be considered in greater depth as part of theactionplanfortheWollongongCentre(seep.18).

ShellharbourHospitalwillbedevelopedasanacutehubfortheSouthernIllawarracommunity.ThiswillrequireShellharbourHospitaltodevelopthelevelofservicesprovided,expandingitscapacity,levelofoperationandcapitalfootprint,therebyenablingittobecomeamajormetropolitanfacility.TheexpansionofShellharbourHospitalalsoenablesWollongongHospitaltofulfilitsroleasaregionalhospital,withtertiaryreferralandteachingresponsibilities.

ShoalhavenDistrictMemorialHospitalwillcontinueitsroleasanacutehubintheShoalhaven;arolethatwillbeenhancedbytheexpansionofCancerCareservices.

ThereisaverystrongalignmentbetweentheLocalHealthDistrict’sStrategicPlanandthisdraftPlan.The focus of high level services at Wollongong Hospitalenablesthegreaterconnectionbetweenthe University,theHospitalandthesurroundingmedical/healthservicesprecincttobestrengthened.IdentifyingtheneedtogrowShellharbourHospital’sroleandprominencealsoconnectstothechanging‘centreofgravity’oftheIllawarra,asnewdevelopmentoccurs under this draft Plan in West Dapto and Calderwood,allofwhichareintheShellharbourHospitalCatchment.

ThereareanumberofhealthrelatedinfrastructureworksintheIllawarrathatarecurrentlyunderconstruction,fundedorplannedandinclude:


PROJECT TIMING (YEARS) SOURCE STATUS

IllawarraElectiveSurgicalServicesCentreatWollongongHospital

1-5years NSWBudget2014-15

Currentlyunderconstruction

ParkingupgradeatWollongongHospital



EmergencyDepartmentexpansionatWollongongHospital


Funded

Sub-acuteMentalHealthUnitatShoalhavenHospital

1-5years Illawarra Shoalhaven Local HealthDistrict


BulliHospitalUpgrade 1-5years Illawarra Shoalhaven Local HealthDistrict


WollongongPrivateHospitalupgrade 1-5years Figtree Private Hospital

Potential future project

HealthandAgedCareservicesatKanahooka,Kiama,andShellCove

1-10years Restart Illawarra Infrastructure Fund

Funded

Education AlthoughtheDepartmentofEducationandCommunitiesisworkingtowardsaconsistentplanningapproach,itisnotyetreadywithastrategicplanfortheIllawarra.Wedo,however,haveagoodunderstandingofthissector’scurrentoperationandcan influence its forward planning to ensure alignment.

ChangesintheTAFEsectormeanthattheIllawarraInstituteneedstocarefullyconsiderhowitsnumerouscampusescanbestrespondtothepressuresofmorevocational-basedactivity.TAFEfacilitiesintheRegionareageingandwillrequirerenewaltomeettheexpectationsofstudentsandstaffformodernteachingspaces,withinbuilttechnologicalcapabilities.InformationCommunicationsTechnology(ICT)infrastructurewillberequiredonallcampusestoprovidesufficientbreadthofcoverageandincreasedcapacitytoservicetheprojectedincreaseduse(traffic)oftechnology-enabledlearning.

TheUniversityofWollongongistheIllawarra’sonlyuniversity,withalmost31,000studentsenrolledin2012.TheUniversityinvestsininfrastructureatahigherratethanaverageNSWuniversities,mostrecentlywiththeiAccelerateprojectaswellasKooloobongprecinctstudenthousing.InfrastructurechallengesfortheUniversityarefocusedaroundtransportrequirements,includingaccessfromtheM1, publictransport,parkingandwalking/cycling.

Primaryandhighschoolsinthepublicsystemgenerallyhavecapacitytoaccommodategrowthinexistingurbanareas.Schoolswithinthenortherngrowthcorridorwillneedtobemonitoredtoensurethereiscapacityinexistingschoolstoaccommodategrowth.SchoolswithintheWollongongCityCentremayrequiresomecapacityupgrades.Theregularreportingonhousingactivitythatwillformpartofthe monitoringandimplementationofthisdraftPlan willenabletheDepartmentofEducationandCommunitiestorespondtoanychangeindemand.


ThereareanumberofeducationrelatedinfrastructureworksintheIllawarrathatarecurrentlyfundedorunderconstruction and include:


IllawarraIndustryTrainingCollege 1-5years NSWBudget2014-15

Funded

KooloobongStudentVillageStage2 1-5years UniversitysubmissiontoDiscussion Paper


EarlyStartFacility(highlyspecialisedteachingandresearchspace)

1-5years UniversitysubmissiontoDiscussion Paper


TransportTheIllawarraRegionalTransportPlan(IRTP)looksat theplannedgrowthoftheRegion,considerstheimpactofurbangrowthintheprioritynewreleaseareasandaccommodatesemploymentgrowthandan increasingtourismmarket.TheIRTPiscommittedtobetterconnectingIllawarraresidentstojobs,studyandtowncentres,includingreducingthetraveltimebetweenWollongongandSydney.TheIRTPalsoacknowledgesthebenefitstotheRegionfrombettermanagementoffreightassociatedwiththeincreasedroleofPortKembla.

Someoftheparticulartransportchallengesfacingthe Illawarraasitgrowsanddevelopsinclude:■■ agrowingdemandforfreightonbothroadandrailnetworks,includingexpansionandgrowthofPortKembla

■■ improvedtraintraveltimesareneededfortripsto andfromtheSydneyMetropolitanArea

■■ aheavyrelianceonprivatecartravel■■ cateringfortransportdemandduringpeakholidaytravelperiodsandsupportingdomesticandinternationaltourismopportunities

■■ pressuretocompleteroadconstructionintheRegiontoprovideadditionalcapacityandlinkstocaterforadditionaldemandandgrowth

■■ catering for an ageing population and transport disadvantagedbyprovidingaccesstohealthcarefacilities and services

■■ ongoinginvestmentinbuspriorityinfrastructuretofacilitate fast and reliable bus services

■■ ongoinginvestmentintheregionalcyclenetworktoconnectpeopletomajorcentresandtoinfluencemodeshiftstowardsactivetransport.

OurdraftPlanfortheIllawarra,withourstrongfocusoncentresandcorridorgrowth,continuedroll-outofregionallandreleaseprogram,andkeyemploymentprecinctssuchasthePortandUniversity,supportsthe regional initiatives outlined in the Illawarra RegionalTransportPlan.

Therearesignificantopportunitiesforthetwoplans(landuseandtransport)tocontinuetointegrateduringtheirimplementationphases.Workingtogetheron initiatives such as infrastructure planning and delivery;themanagementofaccesstonewreleaseareas;strengtheningtheroleofpublictransportinconnectinglocalcommunitiestoWollongongCityCentre;andenhancingrailpassengerservices,willensure that land use and transport continue to be integratedintheIllawarra.

Improvementsinthemanagementandlocationoffreight and logistics facilities associated with growth inthePortofPortKemblawillalsobeakeyissueforourdraftPlanfortheIllawarra.ThespecificstepstoaddressthiswillbeidentifiedintheactionplanforthePort(seep.25).


ThereareanumberoftransportrelatedinfrastructureworksintheIllawarrathatarecurrentlyunderconstruction,fundedorplannedwhichaimtoaddresstheseissuesandinclude:

TRANSPORT MODE PROJECT OR PROGRAM

TIMING (YEARS) SOURCE STATUS

Roads FoxgroundandBerryBypass,ToolijooaRoadtoSouthBerry

1-5years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded

GerringongUpgrade,MountPleasanttoToolijooaRoad

1-5years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded

PrincesMotorway,InterchangeatbaseofMtOusley

5-10years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded for planning

PrincesMotorway(MountOusleyRoad)ClimbingLanes

5-10years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded for planning

NowraBridgeoverShoalhavenRiver 5-10years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded for planning

AlbionParkRailBypass 5-10years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded for planning

TermeilCreekRealignment 5-10years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded for planning

UpgradeofBulliPass,PrincesHighway 5-10years NSWFreightandPortsStrategy

Potentialfutureproject

UpgradeofPrincesMotorway,WestWollongong

5-10years LongTermTransportMasterPlan


UpgradeofPictonRoad 5-20years LongTermTransportMasterPlan


UpgradeofIllawarraHighway 5-20years LongTermTransportMasterPlan


UpgradeofPrincesHighwaytoSouthCoast



TransportCorridorUpgrades,RoadSafety,CommunityTransportServices

1-5years5-20years

LongTermTransportMasterPlan


Freight Rail Pre-constructionplanningforMaldon-DombartonRailLine



UpgradeofMossVale–UnanderraRailLine

5-20years State Infrastructure Strategy


Passenger Rail NewTrainStationatShellCove(formerlyFlinders)andtrainstationimprovements

1-5years5-20years

LongTermTransportMasterPlan

Underconstruction

Ports PortKemblaOuterHarbourRedevelopment

1-20years NSWFreightandPortsStrategy


ReplacementPilotVessel 1-5years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded


UtilitiesDrinkingwaterisavailablefortheRegionandisnotariskforservicingregionalgrowth.ThemajorityoftheRegion’swatersupplyissourcedfromdamsthatformpartofSydney’swatersupplysystemwhichincludesTallowaDamtothesouth.The Metropolitan Water Plan (2010)ensuresthereissufficientwaterindroughtandforlongtermgrowthforthegreaterSydneyregion,includingtheIllawarra.ThePlaniscurrentlyunderreviewandwilltakeintoconsiderationthegrowthprojectionsfortheIllawarraregion.

Thereissufficientcapabilityinthewaterinfrastructurenetworkandsufficientcapacityinthe existingwastewatertreatmentplantstoaccommodateregionalgrowth.TheIllawarra,andinparticularthenorthernIllawarra,takesadvantageofitsintegratedseweragesystemwhichpumpseffluenttotheWollongongsewagetreatmentplant,whererecycledwaterisproducedforuseatBluescopeSteel.Becauseofthisintegratedsystem,therearealsonospecificwaterorwastewaterlimitationstosupportplannedgrowthinexistingurbanareas.

TheShoalhavenalsotakesadvantageofrecycledwatertechnologiesatits‘RecycledEffluentManagement’plantnearCulburra.Thissystemallowstreatedwatertobe‘sprayirrigated’onthedairyfields

oftheShoalhavenRiverflats–droughtproofingthisimportantindustry.Morebroadly,ShoalhavenWatercarefullymanagesthecapacityandoperationofitsnumeroustreatmentplantstoaccommodatetheincreasesindemandduringholidayperiods.

ThereareanumberofareaswithintheRegionwheretheelectricitynetworkisoperatingatclosetocapacity,whichmayrequireaugmentationofthesub-transmissionnetworkinthefuturetosupportfuturegrowth.AssetsinthesouthoftheRegionarecurrentlybeingupgradedtorespondtoincreaseddemandduringholidayperiods.

Overall,thereiscapabilityintheelectricitysectortosupporttheRegion’sgrowthintheshorttomediumterm.However,inthelongerterm,apotentialshortfallinthecapabilityofthetransmissionnetworkhasbeenidentified.InvestigationsarealreadyunderwaytoconsideroptionsforincreasingtransmissioncapabilityincludinganewconnectionbetweenthetransmissionnetworkandthedistributionnetworksouthofNowra.WewillcontinuetoworkwithTransGridandEndeavourEnergytorefineoptionsforanewconnection,whichcouldincludeidentifyingapreferredtransmissioncorridor.Thiswouldbereflected in our strategic plans to highlight the right timingforinvestmentintheupgrade.


ThereareanumberofutilityrelatedinfrastructureworksintheIllawarrathatarecurrentlyunderconstructionorfunded,andinclude:

INFRASTRUCTURE ITEM PROJECT OR PROGRAM

TIMING (YEARS) SOURCE STATUS

Wastewater Treatment Plants

NorthernShoalhavenReclaimedWaterManagementScheme

1-5years Shoalhaven Council

Funded

Wastewater Infrastructure

KangarooValleySewerageScheme

1-5years Shoalhaven Council

Funded

Water and Sewerage Trunk Mains

ShellharbourTrunkSystemProjectShellharbour

1-5years SydneyWater

Funded

Electricity PortKemblaZoneSubstationUpgrade

1-5years EndeavourEnergy


Electricity RussellValeZoneSubstationUpgrade



Electricity BulliZoneSubstationUpgrade



Electricity TomerongZoneSubstationUpgrade



Electricity CulburraZoneSubstationUpgrade



WasteWastemanagementistheresponsibilityoflocalgovernment,however,acollaborativeapproachtoplanningandmanagingwasteservicescanbringregionalbenefits.TheSouthernCouncilsGroup’sdraft Regional Waste Avoidance and Resource Strategy providesaframeworkforCouncilstoworktogetheronmanagingcross-regionalissues(littering,illegaldumping),securingwasteandrecoverycontractsand thejointestablishingofwasteinfrastructure,whereappropriate.

WhileeachoftheRegion’sCouncilscurrentlyhavecapacityorarrangementsinplacetomanagetheirwaste,arrangementswillneedtobesecured,includingtheimplementationofwasteminimisationstrategies,toensurelongtermwasterequirementscanbemet.

New release areasWestLakeIllawarra,incorporatingWestDapto,TallawarraandCalderwood,isthepriorityfocusfor greenfieldreleaseinthenorthernpartoftheIllawarra.Nearlyhalfoftheoverallcapacityofthereleaseareashasalreadybeenrezonedandplanninghascommencedforasubstantialpartoftheremainingland.

Nowra-BomaderryrepresentstheprioritygreenfieldreleaseprecinctinthesouthernpartoftheRegion.Approximatelytwo-thirds(6,375lots)oftheoverallcapacityoftheareawasrecentlyrezonedaspartoftheShoalhavenLEP2014.


Bothoftheseareasareexpectedtohaveatimeframefordevelopmentthatextendsbeyond2031.WewillusetheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramtomonitortherateandtake-upofdevelopmentinorderto understand when decisions on new infrastructure willbeneeded.

WehavebeenworkingcloselywithWollongong,Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Councils to facilitate the planninganddeliveryofnewhousinginWestLakeIllawarraandNowra-Bomaderryreleaseareas.Thishasincludedworktoresolveaccessissuesandtounderstand what new infrastructure is needed for the releaseareas.

ThefinalPlanwillresolvethetimeframe,potentialfundingsources(includingdevelopmentcontributions)andpotentialforcontestableprovisionbytheprivatesector.

TransportStrategictrafficmodellinghasbeenundertakentounderstandtheinfrastructureimplicationsassociatedwithregionalgrowth,andmorespecificallytosupportthedevelopmentofWestLakeIllawarrareleaseareas.ThishasidentifiedtheneedforthefollowingStateroadprojects:


M1–YallahtoOakFlatsupgrade incorporating:■■ AlbionParkInterchange■■ Yallah Interchange■■ Tallawarraon/offramps.

1-10 Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)

Funded for planning

EmersonRoadon/offramps 10+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)

Planning & business caserequired

FowlersRoadon/offrampupgrades

10+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)


IllawarraHighwayUpgradethroughtheAlbionParkurbanarea



NorthcliffeDriveOverpass 10+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)


MastersRoadFlyover 10+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)


M1-additionallanesatvarioussectionsfromTallawarratoMountKeiraRoad




TheIllawarraRegionalTransportPlanalsoidentifiestheimportanceofintegratingexistingpublictransportservicesintotheservicesfornewreleaseareas.Thiswillneedaprogramofworksandservicedeliverystrategiestoenabletheearlyuptakeofbusservices,the connection of local services to regional services (whichcouldbeeitherbusortrain)andtheoperationofcommunitytransport.TheRegionalTransportPlanalsoidentifiesopportunitiestoencouragegreaterwalkingandcyclingactivitythroughappropriateurbandesignandinfrastructure(bikepaths,walkingtrails).

The focus for access infrastructure to support the newreleaseareasinNowra-Bomaderrywillbeonconnectingto,andmaintaininglevelsofserviceon

thePrincesHighway.TrafficmodellingisbeingundertakenbyRoadsandMaritimeServicesandShoalhavenCityCounciltoidentifypressurepointson theStateroadnetworkthatmaybethefocusforfutureinfrastructureupgrades.

EducationInplanningforournewreleaseareasintheIllawarra,wehavebeenworkingwiththeDepartmentofEducationandCommunities(DEC)tounderstandschoolsrequirements.

ThereareanumberofeducationrelatedinfrastructureworksforreleaseareasintheIllawarrathat are being planned and include:


WestLakeIllawarraUrbanRelease Area■■ Eightpotentialnewprimary

schools■■ Three potential new high

schools

5–20+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra),andDECsubmissiontoDiscussion Paper

DECaremonitoringhousingconstruction,enrolmentgrowthandpropertyopportunities

Nowra-BomaderryUrbanRelease Area■■ Twopotentialnewprimary

schools

5–20+ DP&EandDEC DECaremonitoringhousingconstruction,enrolmentgrowthandpropertyopportunities

Source:DeeKramer


Workisnowfocussingonmoredetailedplanningfor priorityschoolinfrastructuretoserviceinitialdevelopmentprecincts.DECwillcontinuetomonitortherateanduptakeofdevelopmentinnewreleaseareastoensurethatitcanrespondtochanges.ContinuedaccesstothedataandforecastsfromtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramwillhelpDECstayontopofchangingtrends,andtoidentifythetriggerpointstocommissionnewschools.

UtilitiesWater,wastewaterandelectricityinfrastructurewillberequiredtosupportthestagedroll-outofmultipledevelopmentfrontsintheRegion’sreleaseareas.

SydneyWater’sconceptplanandprojectapplicationfor Water and Wastewater Servicing of the West Dapto Urban Release Area and Adjacent Growth Areas was approvedon14June2013.Itplansforinfrastructurecapacitytoaccommodate30,000homesand500hectaresofnon-residentialdevelopmentfromtheWestDapto,CalderwoodandTallawarrareleaseareas.

SydneyWaterhasidentifiedandincludedtheservicingofthezonedareasinWestLakeIllawarrain itscapitalrequirementsstrategy.Constructionis alreadyunderwaytodelivertheseservicesandSydneyWaterisalsoengagedwithanumberof

developers who are leading the provision and constructionofconnectingmains.

ShoalhavenWaterhasdevelopedaservicingstrategytosupporttheNowra-BomaderryreleaseareaswhichhasidentifiedthatupgradestoNowraandBomaderrySewerageTreatmentPlantswillberequired.Thisiscurrentlyinconceptdesignphase.

Threenewzonesub-stationswillbeneededtoserviceWestLakeIllawarrareleaseareas.EndeavourEnergyhassecuredasiteforanewzonesub-stationinstage-oneoftheWestDaptourbanreleaseareaandismonitoringtheimplicationsofgrowthonelectricityinfrastructure,beforedeterminingthetimingforitsdelivery.Thetimingfortheotherzonesub-stationswilldependonthetimingandnatureofdevelopment,butarenotexpectedtoberequiredinthenext10 years.

WithcontinuedaccesstothedataandforecastsfromtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram,EndeavourEnergywillcontinuetomonitortherateanduptakeofdevelopmentinnewreleaseareastoensurethatitcanrespondtochanges.

ThereareanumberofutilityrelatedinfrastructureworksintheIllawarrathatarecurrentlyunderconstruction,fundedorplannedandinclude:

INFRASTRUCTURE ITEM

PROJECT OR PROGRAM TIMING SOURCE STATUS

Water and Sewerage TrunkMains

WestDaptoUrbanReleaseProjectWollongong

1-5years SydneyWater Funded

Water and Sewerage TrunkMains

CalderwoodTrunkSystemProjectShellharbour

1-5years SydneyWater Funded

Electricity Dapto Substation – ongoing maintenance

1-5years TransGrid Potential futureproject

Electricity WestNowraBombaderry33kVElectricityLineproject


Currentlyunder construction


DeliveryHavingidentifiedtheoverallinfrastructurerequirementstosupportgrowthofthenewreleaseareas,thetaskforstateagenciesandotherkeystakeholdersisnowtofocusoncoordinatingnewinfrastructuretomaximisedevelopmentoutcomesin theshorttomediumterm.

InfrastructureCoordinationPlansforWestLakeIllawarraandNowra-Bomaderrywillprovidetransparencyandcertaintyaroundinfrastructure

planninganddeliverytosupportdevelopment.They willincludetiming/thresholdsforprojectdelivery;explaintherelationshipbetweenplans;clarifywhoisresponsiblefordelivery;andexploreprecinctaccelerationopportunities.

The Plans will also provide a consolidated source of informationtosupporttherecoveryofpartofthecostof regional and State roads where appropriate and will providethepolicybasetosupportthedevelopmentof detailedservicingplansbyStateAgenciesandutilityproviders.


4.1 Develop an Infrastructure Coordination Plan for West LakeIllawarra

DepartmentofPlanning and Environment;WollongongCityCouncil

Short

4.2 Develop an Infrastructure Coordination Plan for Nowra-Bomaderry

DepartmentofPlanning and Environment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short

4.3 EachCouncilshouldensureithasaccesstolongtermcapacitytomanagewasteassociatedwithprojectedgrowth

WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Long


Supporting economic growth through strategic infrastructure investmentsOur draft Plan for the Illawarra recognises that the Regionhasthepotentialtogrowbyusingitsavailablelandsupplyandcapitalisingonitstransitioningeconomy.Todrivethisgrowthitisnecessarytoconsider whether there are particular pieces of infrastructurethatwecan,eitheronourown,orbyworkingwithotherGovernmentsorsectors,investin totransformtheRegion.

InfrastructureNSW(INSW)playsakeyroleinsupportingtheState’sinfrastructureplanning,fundinganddeliveryprocessbyprovidingindependentadviceoninvestmentpriorities.Infrastructure for Illawarra’s Economic Future (2014) has beenpreparedforINSWtoinformourdiscussionsontheinfrastructureprioritiesoftheRegion.

Infrastructure for Illawarra’s Economic Future has examinedhowtheIllawarra’seconomycouldfunctionifkeystrategicinvestmentsininfrastructureweremade.Wehaveusedthisdocumenttounderstandthe externalandinternalfactorsshapingtheRegion’seconomyandhowwelltheywouldrespondtoparticulartypesofinvestment.Althoughwehavenot lookedtoanalyseandassessparticularprojects,theINSWdocumenthasestablishedtheeconomicthemesforwhichinfrastructurecanbeprioritised:■■ supporteconomicactivityandimprovesamenity■■ enablethemovementofpeople,goodsandinformation

■■ service the needs of households■■ supportthequalityoflifeofindividualsandresilienceofcommunities

■■ connectindividuals,businessesandcommunitieswitheachotherandtherestoftheworld.

HowtheINSWstrategicinfrastructureprioritiescouldbeusedtoidentifyprojectstosupportgrowthintheRegionarediscussedover.


Infrastructure for Illawarra’s economic future

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AREA

Connections to other places

Connections within the Illawarra

Information & Communications

TechnologyHealth Recreation & Cultural

Facilities

Focus areas for growth that are supported


Transforming manufacturing

Tourism

Education



Tourism

University & Education

Health & Aged Care

ICT/Knowledge Services



Health, Disability & Aged Care

Tourism

Health & Aged Care

How investment in these focus areas for growth is supported

Access to global jobs

Connectivity to Sydney markets and export

opportunities

Sustainable population growth of centres and

release areas

Support home based business and telework

Online delivery of services and ecommerce

Smart infrastructure

Telehealth

Service growing and ageing population

Specialist medical services and excellence

Multi-disciplinary care

Enhanced regional activities and events

Public domain improvements

Tourist and recreation facilities

Connections to other placesTheIllawarra’sproximitytoSydneyprovidesgoodopportunitiesforinfrastructure-ledgrowth.Inter-regional transport infrastructure that could support growth includes:■■ improvementstorailtraveltimesbetweenSydney

and Wollongong■■ extensionoftheM1PrincesMotorwayfrom

Waterfall to Alexandria■■ completionoftheMaldontoDombartonfreightline(inadditiontoimprovedrailfreightconnectionsbetweenPortKemblaandtheSouthernRailLinethroughanupgradedUnanderratoMossValeline)

■■ duplicationofPictonRoadinthelongterm.

Collectively,thesetransportinvestmentshavethepotentialtoinject$4.4billionintotheeconomyovertheperiodto2050andincreaseemploymentby12,732full-timeequivalentpositions.22 There would alsobesignificanteconomicandemploymentbenefitstoSydneyfromtheseinvestments.

Connections within the IllawarraImprovingconnectionsbetweenemploymentcentresandhousinggrowthprecinctscanincreasecapacity,improvetrafficflows,reducetraffictimesandimproveroadsafety.Theseimprovementsextendtoroadupgrades(suchastheM1YallahtoOakFlatsextension),improvementstorailservicesandpublictransportinvestments,whichallsupportgeneralregionalgrowthandeconomicgrowth.


Information and Communications TechnologyGrowthinICT/knowledgeserviceswillbeunderpinnedbythehighnumberofgraduatesfromtheUniversityofWollongonginICT.Investmentinsuperfastbroadbandnetworksand4Gmobilenetworkswouldallowarangeofdevelopmentstooccurincludingtelework,onlinedeliveryofservices,e-commerceand smartinfrastructure.

Health ContinuedinvestmentinthehealthsectorhasthepotentialtodriveproductivityimprovementsandgrowthintheRegionaswellasrespondtoitsrapidlyageingpopulation.TheroleofWollongongHospitalasatertiarytreatmentandteachingfacilityiscriticaltosupport future residents and to consolidate the health

sectorasaneconomicopportunity.InvestinginWollongongHospitalaswellasotherregionalhealthinfrastructure,suchastheredevelopmentofShellharbourHospitalintoamajormetropolitanhospitalwillimproveservicestothecommunityandsecuretertiaryandeconomicoutcomesforthesector.

Recreation and cultural facilitiesInvestinginconventionfacilities,accommodationservicesandattractionstosupporttourismcanincreasevisitornightsandlongerstaysintheRegion.Supportinginvestmentinregionalartsandrecreationcanalsosupporttourism,aswellascontributetothelifestyleadvantagesoftheRegion,whichinturnsupportinvestment.

Inadditiontotheabove,investmentintheregionalTAFE,Universityandregionalskillsdevelopmentwillbenefitalleconomicsectors.


4.4 Continue to build a case for investmentinstrategicinfrastructure in the Region

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;InfrastructureNSW;DepartmentofPremierandCabinet;NSWTradeandInvestment;NSWHealth;DepartmentofEducationandTraining;UniversityofWollongong.

Ongoing


Source:LynleyColes

5 MANAGING THE ILLAWARRA’S AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

TheIllawarraRegionformspartofthewatercatchmentthatprovidesdrinkingwatertoalmost60 percentoftheState’spopulation.

The Region has agricultural and natural resources that areeconomicallyandenvironmentallyimportanttotheRegion and toSydney,buttheirproximityhasthepotentialtogeneratelanduseconflict.OurdraftPlanfortheIllawarraacknowledgestheimportanceof theseresourcesindeliveringeconomicandenvironmentalbenefitstotheRegion.

OurfocusfortheappropriatemanagementoftheRegion’sagriculturalandnaturalresourcesisonexplaining how the draft Plan can provide opportunitiesfordevelopment,preventlanduseconflictsandprotectimportantnaturalassets.

AsourdraftPlandoesnotproposeanyfurtherexpansionoftheRegion’surbanfootprint,beyondthoseareasalreadystrategicallyidentifiedandendorsedthroughtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramandShoalhavenGrowthManagementStrategy,therewillbelimitedadditionallanduseconflictsarisingfromthisdraftPlan.However,wedohaveanopportunitytousethisdraftPlantofocusonbettermanagingexistinglanduseconflictstoensuretheongoingextractionofvaluablemineralresources,andtheproductivityofimportantagriculturallands.

Identifying regionally important agricultural landsThesouthernpartoftheRegionishometoarangeofeconomicallyviableruralenterprisesincludingdairy,organicproduce,beef,cutflowersandfruit.Theseagricultural industries also support a range of other valueaddingindustriessuchasmilkandcheesefactories,abattoirsandwineries(someofwhichoperateintheIllawarraorinadjacentregions).

Agricultural land also contributes to the attractive landscapeoftheRegionthatisenjoyedbybothresidentsandtourists.

Supportingtheproductivityofagriculturallandsisa complexissuethattouchesonarangeofpotentialpolicyareassuchasconsistentlandusepolicy,developmentassessmentprocesses,andpollutioncontrolrequirementsthatareallbestmanagedthroughastatewideapproach.

OurmainresponsetosupportagricultureintheRegion is a spatial one – to support agricultural productivitybyidentifyingregionallyimportantagriculturallands,andensuringthattheseareashaveappropriatezonesorcontrolsappliedinLocalPlans.

InJanuary2014,theNSWGovernmentreleasedtheBiophysicalStrategicAgriculturalLand(BSAL)mapsfortheStatewhichidentifieslandwithhighqualitysoils and water resources capable of sustaining high levelsofproductivity.WhiletheBSALmappingidentifiesagriculturallandofsignificancetotheState,thereisanopportunitytomapagriculturallandsthatarecapableofmakinganimportantcontributionata regionalscale.

TheNSWDepartmentofPrimaryIndustriesrecentlyundertookapilotmappingprojecttoidentifytheagriculturallandsneededforfood,fibreandbio-energyproductioninNSW.Animportantoutcomeof theRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlanwillbe toextendthismappingtotheIllawarra.

We have developed the following principles to guide strategicmapping,andreflectboththepilotprojectundertakenbyNSWDepartmentofPrimaryIndustriesand the principles contained in the previous rural planningpolicies.Theseprincipleswillhelptomanagetheseimportantlandsbyaddressinglanduseconflictissues(includingruralresidentialuses).Theyalsosupport opportunities to sustain and grow agricultural activitiesandprovideforactivitiesthatcomplementthe agriculture sector such as processing and agri-tourism.


Principles for identifying important agricultural land

1. PROMOTE AND PROTECT SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Thepromotionandprotectionofsustainableeconomicactivitiesisachievedthroughtheidentificationoftheeconomic,socialandaestheticvaluesassociatedwithruralland,withconsiderationgivento:■■ industrytypes–Supportkeyregionalindustries,includingemergingandpotentialindustriesassociatedwithfood,fibreandbio-energyproductionastheycanprovidelongtermmeansofemployment,rawagricultural product and fresh safe secure food

■■ landrequirements–Whilelandwiththebestcombinationofsoil,climate,topographyandwaterforagriculturalproductionisalimitedresourceinNewSouthWales,differentagricultureindustrieshavevaryinglandrequirementswhichshouldberecognised

■■ value adding opportunities■■ infrastructureandaccessrequirements.

2. MAINTAIN, PROTECT AND ENHANCE NATURAL ASSETS

Importantnaturalresourcesshouldbeidentifiedandprotectedfortheirenvironmental,economicandsocialvalue.Inparticular,assetssuchassoils,vegetation,faunaandwatershouldbeidentifiedandprotectedtoensuretheviabilityofagriculturalindustriesandsustainablefoodproduction.

3. MANAGE SETTLEMENT AND HOUSING

Settlementandhousinginruralareasshouldbeidentifiedandmanagedwithconsiderationgivento:■■ identifyinglandssuitableforruralresidentialdevelopmentwhichdoesnotinterferewiththeagriculturalindustry,biodiversityorlandscapeaesthetics

■■ clearlyidentifyingandstrategicallylocatingurbangrowthboundariesandruralresidentialzonesinordertoreducelanduseconflict,landspeculationandpressureoninfrastructureandservices

■■ ruralcharacter–providesthesceniccontextfortourismandthelifestyleofresidents.


5.1 Mapregionallyimportantagriculturallandusingagreedmappingprinciples

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries

Short

5.2 ReflecttheoutcomesoftheregionallyimportantagriculturallandsmappingprojectinLocalPlans


Medium


Maximising the productivity of resource lands

Energy ResourcesTheIllawarraRegionliespartlywithintheSouthernCoalfieldwhichprovidestheonlyhardcokingcoalinNSWandisinhighdemandforsteelproductionaroundtheworld.

Miningareasarelargelyconcentratedinthewesternand northern portions of the Wollongong local governmentarea.Approximately8 percentoftheIllawarraRegioniscoveredbycoaltitlesandapproximately50 percentoftheRegioniscoveredbypetroleum/CSGtitles.Therearefivecollieryholdings(allunderground)intheIllawarraRegion–threehaveplanningapprovalsbeyond2030.IntheSouthernCoalfield,saleablecoalproductionin2011–12exceeded12 milliontonnes.Theestimatedproductvaluewasmorethan$2.5billiondollars,andStateroyaltiesweremorethan$163 milliondollars.

Morethan84 percentoftheRegion’spetroleumand gasresourceiscoveredbyeithertheNSWGovernment’stwokilometrecoalseamgas(CSG)residentialexclusionzone,theSydneyCatchmentAuthoritySpecialandControlledAreas,and/orNationalParks.Giventhenatureoftheseexistingconstraints,landuseproposalsthathavethepotentialtofurthersterilisetheavailablecoal,coalseamgasand/orpetroleumresourcesshouldbecarefullyconsideredandjustified.

Extractive ResourcesIn2010–11,quarriesintheIllawarraproducedapproximately5.2 milliontonnesofhardrockandsandwhichrepresented23 percentoftheState’stotalconstructionmaterialproductionforthatyear.Regionallysignificantresourcesinclude(seemapon p.73):■■ importantsourcesofhardrockaggregateinKiamaandShellharbour,aswellasscatteredquarriesinShoalhaven,andsandandgravelresourcesfromalluvial deposits along the Shoalhaven River

■■ theDunmore–ShellharbourHillsareawhichcontainssignificantreservesofhardrockandsandresourcesthatareimportanttotheregionalandSydneyconstructionmarkets.Quarriesinthisareaneedtobesafeguardedagainstpressurefromresidentialencroachmentandmanagedtoachievecertaintyforextractionandbiodiversityoutcomes.

Residential DevelopmentShellharbourCouncilhasundertakenanextensiveplanningexercisetoidentifyappropriatelandusesinits urbanfringelands,takingintoaccountarangeofissues,includingtheimportanceoftheDunmoreHillsextractiveresource.AsCouncilproceedstoconsiderplanningproposalstorezonelandsidentifiedunderthis process,thepotentialimpactonthecontinuedextractionofresourcelandsneedstobeahighpriority.

Inaddition,identifiedreleaseareassuchasShellCove (nearBassPointQuarry)andSpringCreek(near BomboQuarry)havesequenceddevelopmentto ensuretheongoingoperationofworkingquarries.Thisapproachtothestagedroll-outofnewreleaseareasinthevicinityofextractiveoperationsshould continue.

Biodiversity valuesTheDunmoreHillsareacontains830hectaresofnativevegetationincludingStateandnationallylisted threatenedspeciesandendangeredecologicalcommunitiesincludingMelaleuca armillaris,IllawarraSubtropicalRainforestandIllawarraLowlandsGrassyWoodland,whichareonlyknowntooccurintheIllawarraRegion.

Inthepast,conservationoutcomesassociatedwith extractionactivitieshavebeennegotiatedonanapplication-by-applicationbasiswhichhasresultedin pooroutcomesforbothquarryoperationsand biodiversity.

The2011Strategy for the Conservation and Management of Biodiversity in the Dunmore – Shellharbour Hills Areaestablishesaframeworkthat canbeusedtoidentifylongtermbiodiversityoutcomes,whileprovidingcertaintyforthecontinuedextractionofthehardrockresource.Resolvingbiodiversityoutcomesthroughastrategicprocesswillprovidecertaintyandstreamlinedevelopmentassessmentprocessesforfutureextractionactivities.


Water ResourcesApproximately21 percentoftheIllawarraRegionis locatedwithintheSydneyDrinkingWaterCatchmentArea,withthemajorityoftheRegion’swatersourcedfromtheAvonandWoronorareservoirs.Aconsiderableproportionofthereservoirsare within the Woronora and Shoalhaven ‘Special Areas’,whichserveasabuffertotheRegion’sdrinking waterandaremanagedfordrinkingwaterandenvironmentalprotection.Theprotectionofwater qualityandwaterquantityintheSydneywatercatchmentandSpecialAreasisessentialforthehealthandsecurityofcommunitiesintheIllawarra,Sydneyandsurroundingregions.

Activitiessuchascoalminingandcoalseamgasextractionwillcontinueoverthenextfewdecades,withlongwallminingalreadyoccurringunderthewatercatchment,andparticularlytheWoronoraSpecialArea.Coalandcoalseamgasactivitieshavethepotentialtoimpactonwatercatchments,waterqualityandquantity,andwatersupplyinfrastructure.Itisimportantthattheseproposalscontinuetobecarefullyscrutinisedusingthebestavailablescience.

As has been the case since the introduction of rigorousplanninganddevelopmentcontrolsforSydney’swatercatchmentareas,anydevelopmentin theSydneydrinkingwatercatchmentshouldhavea neutralorbeneficialeffectonwaterquality,andshouldnotresultinareductioninthequantityofwaterreachingreservoirs.


5.3 CommenceastrategicbiodiversityassessmentoftheDunmoreHillsareatoprovidecertaintyforthelongtermextractionofhardrockresourcesthroughtheestablishmentofeitherbiodiversitycertificationand/orbio-bankingagreements

NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil

Short/Medium

5.4 Thesequencingofreleaseareasinthevicinityofmineralresourcesshouldensureextractionactivitiescan continue


Long

5.5 EnsureSydneyDrinkingWaterCatchmentareasareprotectedfromdevelopmentthatdoesnotmeettheneutral or beneficial effect test

WollongongCityCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil;NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;SydneyCatchmentAuthority

Ongoing


6 MANAGING THE ILLAWARRA’S ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE

TheIllawarraisfortunatetohavemanyuniqueenvironmentalandheritagefeatureswhichcontributetoanattractivelifestyleforresidents,andwhichprovidetourismandrecreationalopportunitiesthathelptoenhancetheeconomy.

OurdraftPlanfortheIllawarraacknowledgestheconservationandtouristvaluesoftheseenvironmentandheritageassetsandtheimportanceofprotectingbiodiversityattheregionalandlocallevel.

Our focus is on where the Regional Growth and InfrastructurePlancaninfluencesignificantregionalenvironmentalandheritageoutcomes,aswellasgivedirectiontoCouncilsonthemanagementoftheseissuesatthelocallevel.

TheIllawarraRegionisoneofthemostbiologicallydiverseinNSW.Itsupportsbothhighconservationvalueterrestrialandaquaticbiodiversity.Thesevalues providethebasisfortheRegion’stourismand recreation,andprovidessignificantscenicamenityforitsresidents.

TheRegionhasmajorhazardssuchasflooding,coastalinundation,bushfireandsealevelrise;witha changingclimatelikelytopresentnewlongertermchallengestoourenvironment.Protectionofkeyenvironmentandheritageassets,andprotectionfromandmitigationofnaturalhazards,areimportantissuesthatneedtobeconsideredattheState,regionalandlocallevel.OurdraftPlanfortheIllawarraprovidesanopportunitytofocusonregionalopportunitiestoprotectkeyenvironmentandheritageassets.

A strategic approach to the planning for environment and heritage protectionAnenduringcriticismoftheinteractionofdevelopmentassessmentandenvironmentorheritageprotectionprocessesisthattheydonotprovide a strategic approach to land use planning and areoftenreactive.OurdraftPlanfortheIllawarrarecognisesthatamorestrategicapproachtoidentifyingkeyenvironmentandheritageassetsis neededsothatcouncilscanensuretheirplanning controlsavoidandminimisetheimpactof developmentonsignificantareas.

TheOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritagehasmappedkeyenvironmentalandheritagevaluesacrosstheRegion based on the criteria set out below: ■■ existing conservation areas: including national parksandreserves,declaredwildernessareas,marineparks,crownreservesdedicatedforenvironmentalprotectionandconservation,and florareserves

■■ native vegetation of high conservation value: includingvegetationtypeswhichhavebeenover-clearedoroccurwithinover-clearedlandscapes;oldgrowthforest,andrainforest

■■ threatenedspecies,populationsandecologicalcommunitiesortheirhabitats

■■ majorriversandstreamsandtheirriparianareas;Importantwetlands;andcoastallakesandestuaries.

Otherimportantheritagevaluesinclude:■■ Aboriginalheritage,includingAboriginalplaces,Aboriginalobjects,andculturallandscapes

■■ non-Aboriginalheritage,includingplacesandsites listedontheNSWHeritageInventory.


ThirroulThirroul


DAPTODAPTO Port Kembla

SHELLHARBOUR

KiamaKiama

Ulladulla

NOWRA

Major Highways

Railway Line

Regional City


Major Town

Town

Legend

High Environmental Values

Biodiversity Corridor

Sydney Catchment Authority

Marine Park

Mineral Resources

State Forests

Reserves

DisclaimerThemapisrecommendedforuseataregionalplanninglevelandgivesanindicationofrelativebiodiversityvaluesatthisscale.Whilethisdatamayprovideanindicationofrelativebiodiversitysignificanceatthelocallevel,usersshouldbeawarethatthedatahaslimitationsincludingthoseofscaleandpositionalaccuracyofattributes.

Councilswillberequiredtoutilisethismapwhenundertakinglocalstrategicplanningsothatareasidentifiedfornewormoreintensivedevelopmentcan belocatedsothatthepotentialimpactsonenvironmentandheritagevaluesareavoidedormitigated.Whereitisnotpossibletoavoidimpacts,Councilswillberequiredtoconsiderhowtheimpactscanbebestmanagedthroughparticularplanningcontrolsorotherenvironmentalmanagement

mechanisms.OurdraftPlanfortheIllawarraalso identifiesthatitmaybenecessarytopursuedevelopmentthatcouldimpactonkeyassetsand in theseareas,suchasinWestDapto,offsetmechanismssuchasbiodiversitycertificationmay be necessary.

Councils will also be expected to ensure existing environmentalprotectionsinlocalplansaremaintained.


6.1 Localplanswillbepreparedusingkeyenvironmentandheritageassets(asmapped)to:■■ avoidandminimisetheimpactofdevelopmentonkeyassetsandwherenotpossible,considerappropriateoffsetorothermitigationmechanisms

■■ maintainexistingenvironmentalprotectionsforkeyassets


Ongoing

Protecting the Illawarra Biodiversity CorridorThe Illawarra Biodiversity Action Plan 2011andworkdonebytheOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritageunderthe South Coast Regional Conservation Plan have identifiedkeyregionalbiodiversitycorridorsintheIllawarrawhichrunfromtheWoronoraSpecialAreain thenorth,alongtheescarpmentsouthandconnecttothecorridoraroundJervisBayandsouthtobeyondUlladulla.Theseincludeanumberofimportanteast-westlinksbetweencoastalparksandforests,andthehinterland.Maintainingandimprovingthesecorridorvaluesisimportanttoensuretheyprotectand enhance ecological connections and the movementanddispersalofplantsandanimals.

Identifyingenvironmentalcorridorsthatexpanduponandprovidelinkagesandpathwaysbetweendifferentareas of habitat is a critical step in securing ecological connectivityandlongtermviability.Thesecorridorsincorporatemanydifferentvaluesincludingadiversityofvegetationtypesacrossdifferentlandscapefeaturesincludingtheescarpment,foothillsandcoastalplain;habitatforarangeofthreatenedandnon-threatenedfaunaandflora,andthreatenedecologicalcommunities.

TheIllawarraEscarpmentisadefiningfeatureoftheIllawarraBiodiversityCorridor,especiallyinthenorthoftheRegion.VegetationonthefoothillsandcoastalplainoftheIllawarraismoredispersedandvulnerable.Duetothehistoriclossofvegetationthroughagriculturalusesandsettlement,manyofthe plantcommunitiesonthecoastalplainhavehighconservationvalue,orarelistedasThreatenedEcologicalCommunities.Someofthesecommunities,suchasIllawarraSubtropicalRainforests,IllawarraLowlandsGrassyWoodlandareonlyfoundinthe


IllawarraRegion.Accordingly,theyhaveveryhighconservationpriorityfortheRegion.TheRegionalsocontainssignificanthabitatforanumberofthreatenedfloraandfaunaspecies.

Thepressuresofpopulationgrowth,fragmentationoflandholdingsandincreasingurbandevelopmentandinvasive species have the potential to threaten the landscapeconnectionsintheRegion.

WhilethebiodiversitycorridorsidentifiedrepresentimportantbiodiversitylinkswithintheRegion,theycansupportmixeduseswherethoseimpactscanprotectorimprovethecorridorvalues.Forexample,theareasidentifiedforDunmoreHillsandYallahCorridorarealsoidentifiedforextractionandurbandevelopment.Opportunitiestomaximiseandimprovethe conservation of the corridors will be considered throughtheplanningprocessfordevelopmentoftheseareas.


6.2 Clarifythelocationofthecorridorandtheimportantenvironmentalvaluesthat need to be protected

OfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short

6.3 LocalPlansshouldaimtoprotectthelands identified within the Illawarra BiodiversityCorridorwhilealsohaving regard to other land uses in the corridor including extraction and urbandevelopment


Ongoing

Protecting biodiversity in new release areasProtectingbiodiversityassetsisanimportantconsiderationastheRegiongrows,particularlyin new releaseareassuchasWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderry.

Biodiversitycertificationgivesplanningauthoritiestheoptiontointegratebiodiversityconservationwith proposeddevelopmentoutcomesatthestrategicplanningstage.Itlooksatdevelopmentand environmentplanningatthelandscapescaleand ensuresthatnewdevelopmentwillimproveor maintainbiodiversityvalues.Itencouragesdevelopmenttobelocatedawayfromareasofhighconservation value and enables these areas to be protectedinperpetuity.However,whereimpactstobiodiversityvaluesareunavoidable,thoseimpactsare offsetbyapplyingconservationmeasurestoland identifiedforbiodiversityprotection.

Ifbiodiversitycertificationisconferredonanarea,individualdevelopmentapplicationsarenotrequiredtoassessimpactsonbiodiversityvaluesandthreatenedspecies.Thisisbecausetheissuehasbeenaddressedatastrategicscale,savingtimeandmoney.Theprocessassureshousingoutcomeswhilealsoprotectingbiodiversityvalues.

Workingcooperatively,WollongongCouncil,theDepartmentofPlanningandEnvironmentandtheOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritagewillcontinuetoprogressbiodiversitycertificationfortheWestDaptourbanreleasearea.Inthenexttwelvemonths,adetailedpackagewillbebroughtforwardthatwillsetouttheareasavailablefordevelopment,theareasidentifiedforprotection and the offset areas and potential funding mechanisms,whichmayincludealevy.

IntheShoalhaven,theplanningfornewreleaseareasatNowra-Bomaderrydidincorporateastrategicapproachanditwasidentifiedthatbiodiversitycertificationwasn’tneededoverallreleaseareas.However,recordingtheprocesses,outcomesandjustificationsshowinghowbiodiversityplanningfor thereleaseareasgenerallyachievedamaintainor improveoutcomewillbeimportantsothattheissuedoesnotneedtoberepeatedwitheverydevelopmentapplication.


TheNowra-BomaderryStructurePlanhasalreadyidentifiedtheareasthatrequireclearingandtheareasof high value vegetation that have been protected throughzoning.WewillcontinuetoworkwithShoalhavenCouncilandtheOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritagetodeterminethebestwaytoidentifythe naturalbiodiversityintheseareasandwhetherbroaderormorespecificoffsettingstrategiesareneededforplaceslikeMundamiaorCrammsRoadreleasearea.

Morebroadly,whenCouncilsareconsideringtherezoningofnewreleaseareas,particularlyinthesouthernpartoftheRegion,theywillbeexpectedto ensureaclearandcomprehensiveunderstandingexistsofthebiodiversityvaluesofthearea.Whilethe protectionprovidedbytheThreatened Species Conservation Actcontinuestoapply,Councilsshouldavoid putting pressure on areas with threatened speciesunlessthereisameansidentifiedtominimiseorimprovebiodiversityandhabitatvalues.

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY ACTION

6.4 ContinuewithbiodiversitycertificationforWestDapto.

NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;WollongongCityCouncil

Short

6.5 Recordtheprocesses,justificationsandbiodiversityoutcomesintheplanningofNowra-Bomaderrylandreleases

NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short

6.6 Protectkeyenvironmentandheritageassetswhenrezoningland


Ongoing

Supporting the continued health of coastal landscapesTheRegionincludesanumberofimportantcoastallakesandlagoons,significantcoastalwetlands,sensitiveestuariesandtheprotectedwatersofJervisBay.Thecatchmentsoftheselakesandestuariesneedtobeappropriatelymanagedtoavoidimpactingontheiraquatichabitats.Vulnerableestuariesandcoastallakesthatrequireenvironmentalprotectioninclude:

■■ BellambiLake■■ BerraraCreek■■ BurrillLake■■ ButlersCreek■■ CurrarongCreek■■ ElliotLake

■■ FairyCreek■■ LakeIllawarra■■ LakeWollomboola■■ MerooLake■■ NarrawalleeInlet■■ NerindillahCreek

■■ Shoalhaven River■■ SpringCreek■■ St Georges Basin■■ SwanLake■■ TabourieLake■■ TermeilLake

■■ TowradgiCreek■■ Werri Lagoon■■ WillingaLake■■ WowlyGully


Theenvironmental,socialandeconomicvaluesoftheRegion’slakes,estuariesandriverscanbeaffectedbyover-extractionofwater,contamination,andconflictinglandusessuchasurbanexpansion.

Lake IllawarraLakeIllawarraisoneofthelargestcoastallakeestuariesinNSWwitha37-kilometreforeshore.The lakeisapopulardestinationforfishing,prawningandsailing.Thereareseveralcaravanparkslocatedontheforeshoresofthelake,andvisitationnumbersincreasesignificantlyduringschoolholidayperiods.

Giventheplannedurbangrowthinthelake’scatchment,thereispotentialforwaterqualityissuesand increased pressure for recreational uses and foreshoreaccesstothelake,particularlyonthewesternside.

Tohelpsupportandmanagepotentialimpacts,theEnvironmentProtectionAuthorityandtheOfficeof EnvironmentandHeritagehavedevelopedarisk-baseddecisionframeworktointegratewaterqualityoutcomesinthestrategicplanningprocess.Thisapproachusescontemporarycatchmentandecosystemresponsemodellingtohelpidentifywhere prioritiesforinvestmentshouldbemadewithin thecatchment.

Theframeworkallowsdifferentdevelopmentscenariostobemodelledtoidentifythepotentialimpactonwaterways.Thepotentialriskstowaterwayhealthcan thenbeconsideredaspartofabroaderstrategicimpactassessment.Wherenecessary,practitionerscanassesstheperformanceofvariouscombinationsoflandusescenariosandstormwatertreatmentlevels,againstagreedmanagementobjectives.

Source:ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Shoalhaven Sensitive Urban LandsTheSensitiveUrbanLandsPanelwassetupbythe NSWGovernmentin2006andhasguidedtheplanningoutcomesforsevenpotentialurbandevelopmentsitesinsensitivecoastallocationswithinShoalhaven(CulburraBeach,BadgeeLagoon,CombertonGrange,Berrara,NorthBendalong,Bendalong,BerringerLake/Manyana).ThePanel’srecommendationshavebeenreflectedinplanningthatiseitherfinalisedorsubstantiallyprogressedforallbutonesite–theCulburraBeachsite.

TheCulburraBeachdevelopmentsitecontainslandwithinthecatchmentofLakeWollumboola.ThelandswithinthecatchmentareconsideredunsuitableforurbandevelopmentbecauseofpotentialnegativeimpactsontheLake,whichisasensitiveintermittentlyclosingandopeninglakewithvery high conservationvalues.

TheOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritagehasalsocompletedastudyontheEnvironmentalSensitivityof LakeWollumboola.ItsreportwillformpartoftheconsiderationofdevelopmentproposalsatCulburraandpotentialimplicationsonLakeWollumboola.

TheoutcomesandrecommendationsoftheSensitive UrbanLandsReviewandthereportontheenvironmentalsensitivityofLakeWollumboolawillguidefuturedevelopmentproposalswithintheLakeWollumboolacatchment.

ItwillbeimportantforanyfutureplanningproposalsinthisareatoprotecttheenvironmentalvaluesofLakeWollumboola.ThismayrequirestrongenvironmentalzoningsandotherappropriateprovisionsinaLocalPlan.

TheSensitiveUrbanLandsReviewwillcontinuetoguidelanduseplanningdecisionsforthesitesyettobefinalisedaswellasanyfutureplanningproposalswithinthesevensensitivecoastallocations.


6.7 Local Plans should ensure the ongoing protection of vulnerable estuariesandcoastallakesfrominappropriatedevelopmenttypes


Ongoing

6.8 Outcomesoftherisk-baseddecisionframeworktointegratewaterqualityoutcomesinthestrategicplanningprocesswillbeimplementedbyCouncils through planning and infrastructureprogrammingofdevelopmentsiteswithinLakeIllawarracatchment

WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil

Short/Medium

6.9 ContinuetoimplementtherecommendationsoftheSensitiveUrbanLandsPanel,includingguidingthedevelopmentformandenvironmentalmanagementofLakeWollumboola

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short


Supporting the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritageTheIllawarrahasarichanddiverseAboriginalhistory.Previous Aboriginal cultural heritage studies within theRegionhaveidentifiedalargeanddiverserangeof Aboriginalsites,includingsiteswithhighscientificandculturalvalues.BecauseoftherichnessofAboriginalheritageintheRegion,itisinevitablethaturbangrowthanddevelopmentwillimpactonexistingandyettobeidentifiedculturalheritagesitesandplaces.ThelossofculturalheritagecanbedistressingtoAboriginalpeople,particularlythelossof,ordamageto,placesofculturalsignificance.ThereisaneedforeffectivemechanismsforAboriginalpeopletobeconsultedinregardtotheirheritage.

The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974(NPWAct)providesforthestatutoryprotectionofAboriginalobjectsandAboriginalplaces.TheobjectsgenerallyprotectedbytheNPWActarearchaeologicalsiteswithtangibleevidenceofpre-contactpresence.

HarmtoAboriginalobjectsandplacesandareasofsignificancetoAboriginalpeopleshouldbeavoidedwhereverpossible.Wheresuchharmcannotbeavoided,proposalsthatreducetheextentandseverityofthisharmshouldbedevelopedinaccordancewithrelevantstatutoryprocesses.

IntheIllawarra,theassessmentofAboriginalculturalheritageismostrelevantwheretherearegrowthpressuresassociatedwiththedevelopmentofnewreleaseareassuchasthoseinWestLakeIllawarraandNowra-Bomaderry,orwhenthereisarezoningof landtoallowformoreintensivedevelopment.

NavigatingtheprocesstoensurethatAboriginalculturalheritageisfullyconsideredandprotectedthroughthedevelopmentofnewreleaseareasisoftencomplexandchallenging.InWestDaptoforexample,significantinvestigationshavebeenundertakenacrossthereleaseareatodetermineareasofparticularriskforAboriginalculturalheritage.

Outcomesoftheseinvestigations,whichfollowedrelevantOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritageguidelines,requiredifferentlevelsofadditionalinvestigations depending on the values of particular parcelsofland.Forsomepartsofthereleasearea,thereisalowriskofAboriginalheritagevaluesandnoadditionalworkisrequired,whileinotherareas,thereisaneedforadditionaldetailedstudiestomanagehighriskareas.

ThereisaneedtoprovideclarityaboutwhattheoutcomesofthisworkmeansforindividualdevelopmentareaswithinWestDaptoandtoguidethedevelopmentofmoredetailedprecinctandneighbourhoodplans.Thiswouldidentifytriggersfor theappropriateassessmentprocess,andwheneachpartoftheprocessshouldbecompleted.


6.10 Develop an Aboriginal cultural heritageprocessmaptoclarifyandguide the additional investigations for thedevelopmentofprecinctandneighbourhood plans in West Dapto

NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment

Short


7 IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN FOR THE ILLAWARRA

DeliveryofourfinalPlanfortheIllawarraisasimportantasthepreparationofthePlan.Itisimportantthatwecreatetherightstructuretoensureongoingcollaborationandengagementsothat ourPlanfortheIllawarraisimplemented.ThisrequiresaclearunderstandingandagreementonthestrategieswithinthePlanbyallstakeholders.ItalsorequiresacommitmenttotheongoingmonitoringofthePlanwithindicatorsthatestablishitssuccessandtheareaswherearevisedapproachmaybenecessary.

ItisimportantthatwesharetheresponsibilityfordeliveringandmonitoringthegrowthoutcomesoutlinedinthedraftPlanwithourimportantregionalstakeholders,includingCouncils,otherstateagenciesandthedevelopmentandservicessectors.Without thatsharedapproachandagreementto

work towardsthestrategiesintheplan,wecannotensure thatitisimplementedattheState,regional andlocal level.

Thediagrambelowsummarisesourapproachto the implementationofthefinalPlan.

Advisory Group Local Planning Initiatives

■■ KeyStateandlocalgovernmentauthorities■■ Meettwiceyearly■■ Oversees progress ■■ Independent chair

■■ Local Plans■■ Housingtargets■■ Housingstrategies■■ Networkofcentres■■ StrategicMapping

(Agriculture/ Aboriginal heritage)

Regional Planning Initiatives

Monitoring Mechanisms

■■ Transformativeplacesprojects■■ Biocertification■■ Growth infrastructure planning■■ IntegratedReleaseAreaDeliveryFrameworks

■■ AnnualMonitoringReport■■ IUDP–annualupdatereport*■■ Industrial Lands – annual updatereport*

* Summariestobeincludedinannualmonitoringreport

Illawarra Regional Growth

and Infrastructure Plan


GovernanceA structure will be developed that will govern how we willworkwithotherstoregularlyreviewprogressoftheinitiativesandactionswithinthefinalPlan.

The Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan AdvisoryGroupwillbeestablishedwithmembershipfromtheDepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment,thefourCouncils,theDepartmentofPremierandCabinet,TransportforNSW,andRegionalDevelopmentAustralia.TheGroupwillbeconvenedbiannuallytooverseeprogressonprojectsandidentifywherepolicyinterventionsorresourcingmay berequired.

ToensurethereisindependenceandtransparencyinhowthefinalPlanwillbeimplementedanindependentchairwillbeappointedfortheAdvisoryGroup.

TheAdvisoryGroupwillbesupplementedbyoutcomespecificgroupsthatbringtogetherappropriatepersonneltomanageparticularissuesorprojects.KeystructuresthatsupportthedeliveryandmonitoringoftheIllawarraRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlanwillincludetheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramCommitteeandtheintegrateddeliveryframeworksthathavebeenestablishedtosupportthedeliveryofhousingintheWestLakeIllawarraandNowra-Bomaderrynewreleaseareas.

Local planning initiativesThefinalIllawarraRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlanwillprovidetheframeworkandcontexttoguidethepreparationofLocalPlans.Inadditiontoimplementingtherequirementsofstateplanningpolicies,allfourlocalCouncilswillberequiredtoimplementtheobjectivesandactionsofthisdraftPlanappropriatetotheirlocalarea,forexample,throughthedevelopmentofhousingstrategies,plus reviewsandamendmentsoftheirLocalPlans.

LocalPlanswillneedtodemonstratethatimportantpolicyoutcomessuchashousingtargetsandthenetworkofcentresaresupportedthroughthezoningandcontrolscontainedinLocalPlans.

Whenever Councils want to change their planning and developmentcontrolstheywillneedtoensuretheyare consistent with the Illawarra Regional Growth and InfrastructurePlan.WewillensurethatthereisaconnectionbetweenthisdraftPlanandthestatutoryrequirementsoftheplanmakingprocessundertheEnvironmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979.

Inadditionaltostatutorymechanisms,Councilswillalso be expected to lead and/or participate in relevant localstrategicprojectssuchasurbandesignandpublicdomainimprovementprojects.


Regional planning initiativesAnumberofoutcomesinthisdraftPlanwillrequirearegionalapproach.Wewilldeveloppartnershipswithotherkeystakeholderstoundertakeprojectsthatwillcontributetoimportantregionaloutcomes.Someof theseimportantinitiativesincludebiodiversitycertification,actionplansfortransformativeplaces,andwhole-of-governmentpolicyalignment.

Growth Infrastructure PlanningWewillusethehousingpoliciesinthefinalIllawarraRegionalGrowthandInfrastructurePlan,alongwiththeannualmonitoringofdevelopmentactivitythroughtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram,to adviseinfrastructureagenciesaboutwhentheirnewinvestmentsshouldbetimed.ThisisanimportantpartofthegrowthinfrastructureplanningprocesswhichwillrequireustoadviseTreasuryon howwellagencyplanningcomplieswiththeapproachesinourdraftPlanfortheIllawarra.

Monitoring and reviewMonitoringoftheimplementationofthefinalPlanwillbeundertakenannuallytoreportonprogressandtoidentifyanyimpediments.Monitoringwillalsohelptoidentifynewactionsortasksthatmayberequiredtoensure ongoing opportunities for growth in the Region arebeingtakenup.

The Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan AdvisoryGroupwilloverseetheproductionand publicationofanAnnualMonitoringReport.The AnnualMonitoringReportwillreportontheperformanceofthePlanagainstasetofindicators(showninAppendixB)anddrawonthemonitoringcompletedthroughtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgramandEmploymentLandsDevelopmentProgram.

TheAnnualMonitoringReportwilladviseonprogressinimplementingthePlanandwhetheranactionhasbeenachieved,isontrack,orneedsimprovement.

TheentirePlanwillbereviewedatleasteveryfiveyears.


GLOSSARY

Ageing industry TheageingindustryencompassesagedcareandhealthrelatedservicesintheRegionusedasameansofdevelopingtheneedsoftheageingpopulation.

Biodiversity CorridorAnareaoflandidentifiedtoconnectfloraandfaunapopulationsseparatedbyhumandevelopmentsandactivitiesforthepurposeofincreasingthebiodiversityofanarea.

Biodiversity CertificationAstreamlinedbiodiversityassessmentforareasmarkedfordevelopmentatthestrategicplanningstage,includingarangeofoptionsforoffsettingimpactsonbiodiversity.

Development readyLandthatisunconstrained,serviceableandabletobedeveloped.

Employment Lands Landthatiszonedindustrial,businessorsimilarpurposesundercouncilLocalPlans.

Employment Lands Development Program TheEmploymentLandsDevelopmentProgram(ELDP)istheNSWGovernment’skeyprogramformanagingthe supplyforemploymentlandsintheRegion.

Existing Urban Areas Landzonedforanurbanpurposeexcludinggreenfieldreleaseareasandfutureemploymentlands,andincludesthenortherngrowthcorridorformultidwellinghousingsupplyandWollongongCentreforthesupplyofapartments.

Greenfield developmentUrbandevelopmentoccurringonnewreleaseareasidentifiedbytheNSWGovernmentwhichhadbeenpreviouslyundevelopedorusedforotherpurposes.

Gross Regional Product (GRP)Ameasureofthesizeofaregionaleconomyandproductivity.GRPisthemarketvalueofallfinalgoodsandservicesproducedinaregionwithinagivenperiodoftime.

Higher Order UsesAhighorderuseisaspecialisedorselectservicewhichispresentinareassuchasadministration,recreationalandculturalfacilities,educationandhealth.

Intermodal (facility) Anareaoflandusedtotransferfreightbetweenatleasttwomodesoftransport.Itistypicallyusedtodescribethetransferofshippingcontainersfromroadtorailandviceversa.

Innovation Campus AresearchandcommercialprecinctdevelopedbytheUniversityofWollongong.Thecampusisacentreofinnovation,researchandeducationlocatedincloseproximitytoWollongong'sCommercialCoreandUniversityofWollongongmaincampus.

IllawarraThelocalgovernmentareas(LGAs)ofWollongong,Kiama,ShellharbourandShoalhaven.

Mega TrendsAcollectionoftrendsinfluencedbyeconomic,socialorenvironmentalactivitythatmaychangethewaypeopleliveandtheproductstheydemand.


Multi-dwelling Amulti-dwellingisabuildingcontainingtwoormoredwellings(whetherattachedordetached)ononelotofland,whichisaccessedatthegroundlevelandincludesdualoccupancy,townhouses,villas,terraces,andothersemi-detacheddwellings.ThisdefinitiondiffersfromtheStandardInstrumentLEPdefinitionsowecancapturedualoccupanciesasaformofmulti-dwellinghousing.

Public Domain Thepublicdomainreferstopublicspaces,usedwithlittletonorestrictiononadailybasis,bythegeneralpublicincludingparks,plazas,streetsandpublicinfrastructure.

Urban Feasibility Model (UFM) StrategicplanningtoolwhichcalculatesthedwellingpotentialofeachLGAintheRegionbasedoncurrentLEPsandDCPsandtheeconomicfeasibilityofdevelopingdwellingpotentialbasedondevelopmentcostsandlocalpropertymarkets.

Glossary of acronymsBSAL BiophysicalStrategicAgriculturalLand

DEC DepartmentofEducationandCommunities

DPC DepartmentofPremierandCabinet

EEC EndangeredEcologicalCommunity

iC InnovationCampus(UniversityofWollongong)

ICT InformationandCommunicationTechnology

IUDP IllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram

LALC Local Aboriginal Land Councils

MDP MetropolitanDevelopmentProgram

OCHRE Opportunity,Choice,Healing,Responsibility,Empowerment(AboriginalAffairs)

RDAI RegionalDevelopmentAustralia,Illawarra

RGIP Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan

TfNSW TransportforNewSouthWales

UFM UrbanFeasibilityModel


APPENDIX A THE ILLAWARRA’S NETWORK OF CENTRES

CENTRES HIERARCHY

COMMERCIAL CENTRES SERVICING THE ILLAWARRA KEY FUNCTIONS OF CENTRE

Global Sydney Sydney Mainfocusfornationalandinternationalbusinesses,professionalservices,retail(includingmajorretail),specialtyshopsandtourism.Itisalsoapremierdestinationforarts,culture,recreationandentertainmentandcontainsnationallysignificantheritageandicons.Providesworldclasseducationandhealthfacilities.Includesopportunitiesforadiverserangeandintensityoflanduses,includinghigh-densityresidentialandmixedusedevelopment.Awellconnected,highlyaccessible,walkableenvironment.

Regional city Wollongong Providesafullrangeofhigherorderservicesandactivitiesincludingbusiness,officeandretailuseswitharts,culture,recreationandentertainmentfacilitiestoservethewidercommunityandbroaderRegion.Containsmajortertiaryeducationandhealthfacilitiesandincorporateshighdensitycommercialandresidentialdevelopment.WollongongCentreiscurrentlyundergoingsignificantrevitalisationwiththeexpansionofredevelopmentoftheCrownStreetMallandtheWestKeiraRetailDevelopment.Thecommercialcoreisthefocuswithlargeretailandcommercialfloorarea,includingvariousdepartmentstore/s.Wellconnectedtopublictransportandroadswithaccessbywalkingandcycling.Wollongong’sCityCentrePlanprovidesaframeworktoachievingthekeyfunctionsofaregionalcitywhilstalsodeliveringasafeandaccessibleenvironment.

Major regional centre

Warrawong,Dapto,ShellharbourCityCentre,andNowra-Bomaderry

Largerscalecentresthatserviceanumberofdistricts,providingawiderangeofbusiness,retailandentertainmentuses,includingdiscountdepartmentstores,warehouses,transportlogisticsandbulkygoodsoperations.Includeshigherdensityresidentialdevelopmentinthecentre.Focalpointforsubregionalroadandtransportnetworksandservicingforanumberofdistricts.Warrawongisalreadyofasignificantsizewithrespecttoitscommercialandretailcapacitybutisquiterundownandinneedofrenewaltoaddressitsurbanandsocialperformance.GiventhefutureresidentialdevelopmentplannedforWestDapto,Daptotowncentrehasthecapacityforgrowth,revitalisationandemploymentopportunities.TheimplementationoftheDaptoTownCentreRevitalisationStudywillenhanceDapto’sroleasthemajorretailandcommercialareaonthewesternsideofLakeIllawarraandensurethecentreexpandstofulfilthisrole.TherecentexpansionofShellharbourCityCentre’sretailfunctionwillensurethatitcontinuestoperformanimportantroleservicingthesouthernpartoftheRegion.Itisafullyintegratedcentrewithretail,entertainment,commercial,culturalandresidentialsectors,thatispedestrianfriendly.NowraisthemajorregionalcentrethatservicesthesouthernpartsoftheIllawarraandfurtherdownthecoast,incorporatingregionalgovernmentofficeswithstronglinkstohealthandeducationservices.PlanningisbeingundertakentogenerateactivityintheNowraCBDwithinitiativestoimprovethepublicdomainandaccess,makingbetteruseofpublictransport.


CENTRES HIERARCHY


Major town Corrimal,FairyMeadow,Figtree,Unanderra,Warilla,AlbionPark,Kiama,Ulladulla,Vincentiadistrict

Centresthatservicethelocalareaandsurroundingsuburbs,providingarangeofbusiness,retailandentertainmentuses,includingsupermarkets,healthandotherserviceswithhigherdensityresidentialdevelopmentinthecentre.TheremaybepotentialforretailexpansioninsomeofthesecentrestoincludediscountdepartmentstoressuchasCorrimalforexample.CorrimalisthemajortowninthenorthernIllawarraandhasanimportantroleinservicingtheneedsoftheneighbouringnorthernvillages.IncreaseddensitiesandretailgrowthwillbesupportedwithintheexistingcentreinaccordancewiththeCorrimalTownCentreRevitalisationStrategy.FairyMeadowhasevolvedtoincludeincreaseddensitiesandanexpandedretailofferingatitscentretosupporttheneedsofsurroundingareas,suchasUniversityofWollongongandtheInnovationCampus.Figtreeisalreadyfunctioningasamajortownfromaretailperspective.Itsrolewithinthe networkofcentresneedstobereassessedagainstitspotentialimpactontheroleof othercentres.Unanderrawithitsaccesstoaregionaltransportnetworkandlocalemploymentopportunitieshasthecapacityforincreasedresidentialdensitiesandpotentialforexpansiontoitscentre’sfunction.Warillaisalreadyofaconsiderablesizeintermsofretailandcommercialfloorspace.The focusforWarillawillbetocontinuetomanageandimprovetheexistingcentre.AlbionParkisnowofasubstantialsizeandfurthergrowthandexpansionofthecentre,includingtheongoingrevitalisationalongtheestablishedshoppingprecinctmaybeundertakentosupportpopulationgrowth.KiamaisthemajortownfortheKiamaLGAanditsstrongexistingculturalheritageandtourismfunctionswillcontinuetosupportdevelopment.UlladullaisamajortownservicingareassouthofNowra.Touristinflow(particularlyduringholidayperiods)presentsopportunitiesforretailerstotakefulladvantageofexistingpotential.

Town Examplesinclude:Helensburgh,Thirroul,Woonona,OakFlats,Shellharbour Village,ShellCove,Gerringong,Berry

Smalllocalcentresthatprovidearangeofbusinessandretailuses,includingsupermarkets,healthandotherserviceswithsomeresidentialuses,toservetheneedsofpeopleinthelocalarea.Reliantonhigherordercentresforshoppingandemployment.


CENTRES HIERARCHY


Neighbourhood Centres

Examplesinclude:Coledale,Bulli,Keiraville,MtKembla,Jamberoo,KangarooValley(to be applied to all relevant centresbycouncil)

Typicallyaclusterofshopswithinavillagethatprovidearangeofsmall-scalebusiness,retailandresidentialusestoservetheneedsofpeopleinthesurroundingneighbourhood.Whilstrenewalmayoccurinvillages’neighbourhoodcentresoverthenext25years,thiswilloccuratanappropriatescaletoprotectandenhancethecharacterofthesecentres.

Specialist Centre Innovation Campus

Specialistcentreprovidinghighqualityofficespacetargetedtoresearchanddevelopmententerprisesandsupportedbyarangeoffacilitiesincludingaccommodation,hotelandconferencecentre,shopsandservices.WithitsproximitytoWollongongCommercialCore,commercialandretailusesatInnovationCampusshouldnotunderminetheprimacyofWollongongastheregionalcentreforhigherordercommercialandretailfunctions.


APPENDIX B PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

THEME INDICATORS

Transformative Places ■■ Numberofactionplanscompletedfortransformativeplaces

Developing a prosperous Illawarra ■■ Numberoftotalandnewjobs■■ Amountofcommercialfloorspaceavailableinmajorcentres■■ Amountofretailfloorspaceavailableinmajorcentres■■ Amountofindustriallandavailable■■ Amountofavailableindustriallandserviced

Meeting the Illawarra’s demand for housing

■■ Capacityfordwellingsinexistingurbanareas■■ Proportion of new housing located in centres■■ Mixofdwellingtypes■■ Numberofnewdwellingsconstructed

Providing the infrastructure necessary for the Illawarra’s growth

■■ Totallotszonedandservicereadyforgreenfielddevelopment■■ Numberofstrategicinfrastructureinvestmentsmade

Managing the Illawarra’s agriculture and natural resources

■■ IncreaseinagriculturalproductionbeyondCPI■■ Tonnagesofhardrockextracted

Managing the Illawarra’s environment and heritage

■■ Total area protected under a biocertification process■■ Extentofregionallysignificantbiodiversityprotectedbyenvironmentalzones

■■ NumberofprecinctandneighbourhoodplansthathavecompletedtheprocessofconsideringandprotectingAboriginalculturalheritage.


APPENDIX C SUMMARY OF ACTIONS

Transformative places

WOLLONGONG CENTRE

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*

1.1 Develop a Wollongong Centre Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:

Department of Planning and Environment; Wollongong City Council

Short

AnurbanrenewalstrategyfortheWollongongCentretoexaminethefeasibilityofexistingdevelopmentcontrols,reviewhowthedifferentprecinctsoftheCentreoperate,howtheseprecinctsintegratethroughpublicandprivatetransportnetworks,aswellasidentifyspecificinfrastructureandpublicdomainprojectsthatmaybenecessarytoactivatenewdevelopmentinthearea

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;NSWHealth;TransportforNSW

Short

IdentifyingthegrowthtrendsandpotentialoftheUniversity;coordinateinfrastructureandaccessarrangementstotheUniversity,andidentifystudentaccommodationopportunities

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;TAFEIllawarra;UniversityofWollongong;TransportforNSW

Short

IncreasinghousingopportunitiesintheCentre,improvethequalityofpublicspacesandmakethecentremorevibrant

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;UniversityofWollongong;

Short

Developingstrategiestobetterlinkcentres,corridorsandgrowthareasto Wollongong Centre


Short

NORTHERN GROWTH CORRIDOR


1.2 Develop a Northern Growth Corridor Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

ResourcingtoundertaketowncentreplanninginkeycentresintheNorthernGrowthCorridor

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment Short

Ensuringthatthedeliveryoftransportservicesandaccesstotheseservicesmatchesthedemandforgrowthwithinthecorridor


Short

* Short 0–5yrs Medium 6–10 Long 11+yrs


REGIONAL RELEASE AREAS


1.3 Develop a Regional Release Areas Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

ContinuingwiththeIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkforWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderry


Ongoing

DevelopinganInfrastructureCoordinationPlanforWestLakeIllawarra DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil

Short

DevelopinganInfrastructureCoordinationPlanforNowra-Bomaderry DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short

NOWRA CENTRE


1.4 Develop a Nowra Centre Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

Planningforpublicdomainimprovements,modelurbandesignoutcomesandexamineaccessissuesinandaroundtheCentretosupportitseconomicgrowth


Short

Developing initiatives to increase public transport usage and better integratewalkingandcyclingintheNowraCentre

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil;TransportforNSW

Short



INTERNATIONAL TRADE GATEWAY


1.5 Develop an International Trade Gateway Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

EnsuringMaldon-Dombartonrailcorridorisprotectedinlocalplanning controls

WollongongCityCouncil Long

Investigatingtheimplicationsonthesupplyofindustriallandforoff-siteindustrialareassuchasKemblaGrangethatcansupportportandnon-portrelateduses


Medium

SHOALHAVEN DEFENCE BASE


1.6 Develop a Shoalhaven Defence Bases Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:


Short

EnsuringthatLocalPlansmapandprotecttheairandgroundspacearounddefencefacilitiessothatnewdevelopmentdoesnot hinder expansion


Ongoing

ProtectingthecapabilityofNowra’scommercialandindustrialprecincts to continue to grow defence related industries (includingsupportforinfrastructureplanninganddelivery)


Ongoing



Developing a prosperous Illawarra


2.1 IncorporatetheframeworktosupporteconomicgrowthintoabroadereconomicdevelopmentplanfortheIllawarra

DepartmentofPremierandCabinet;NSWTradeandInvestment

Short

2.2 Identifythepotentialfornewvisitorassetsoractivitiesforthetourismindustry

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;DestinationWollongong;TourismShellharbour;KiamaTourism;ShoalhavenTourism;Councils;

Medium

2.3 Ensureagedappropriateplanningprinciplesareincorporatedinto local planning


Medium

2.4 Ensureanongoingcapacityforofficespacethroughlocalplanning controls


Ongoing

2.5 SupportthegrowthoftheUniversityofWollongongbycoordinatinginfrastructureandaccessarrangementsandidentifyingstudenthousingopportunities

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;TransportforNSW;WollongongCityCouncil

Short

2.6 EnsureanongoingsupplyofindustriallandsthroughCouncils’Local Plans


Ongoing

2.7 Investigatetheimplicationsonthesupplyofindustriallandforoff site industrial areas that can support the ongoing developmentofthePortofPortKembla


Medium

2.8 EnsureCouncil-basedmechanismsorcontrolswillsupportthenetworkofcentres,includingresistinginappropriateout-of-centre retailing


Ongoing

2.9 MonitorthesupplyofindustriallandsthroughtheEmploymentLandsDevelopmentProgram

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment Ongoing

2.10 Collaboratewithservicingagenciestosupportthemarkettake-upofindustrialland

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Servicingagencies;Councils

Ongoing

2.11 ConductapilotprojectforthestrategicassessmentoflandheldbyaLocalAboriginalLandCouncil

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;AboriginalAffairsNSW

Short



Meeting the Illawarra’s Demand for Housing


3.1 EnsureasurpluscapacityforhousinginexistingurbanareastoaccommodatearangeofhousingtypesthroughouttheRegionbyrequiringCouncilstoregularlyreviewtheirstrategiesforhousinganddemonstratetheachievementofhousingtargets


Ongoing

3.2 ExplorethepotentialtoshiftplanningcontrolsinKiamaandGerringongtowncentrestogeneratemorefeasiblehousingsupplyinexistingurbanareas


Short

3.3 Review the potential of the greenfield release areas identified in theKiamaUrbanStrategy,andidentifyanappropriateboundaryfor the southern expansion of Gerringong


Short

3.4 ContinueimplementingtheIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkforWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderry


Ongoing

3.5 ContinuetomonitorlandandhousingsupplythroughtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram,andincorporatetheShoalhaven LGA


Ongoing

3.6 ImplementneighbourhoodplanningprinciplesinLocalPlans,DevelopmentControlPlans,andothercouncilbasedmechanisms

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment Ongoing



Providing the infrastructure necessary for Illawarra’s growth


4.1 DevelopanInfrastructureCoordinationPlanforWestLakeIllawarra


Short

4.2 DevelopanInfrastructureCoordinationPlanforNowra-Bomaderry


Short

4.3 EachCouncilshouldensureithasaccesstolongtermcapacitytomanagewasteassociatedwithprojectedgrowth


Long

4.4 Continuetobuildacaseforinvestmentinstrategicinfrastructure in the Region

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;InfrastructureNSW;DepartmentofPremierandCabinet;NSWTradeandInvestment;NSWHealth,DepartmentofEducationandTrainingandUniversityofWollongong

Ongoing

Managing the Illawarra’s agriculture and natural resources


5.1 Mapregionallyimportantagriculturallandusingagreedmappingprinciples

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries

Short

5.2 Reflecttheoutcomesoftheregionallyimportantagriculturallandsmappingprojectinlocalplans


Medium

5.3 CommenceastrategicbiodiversityassessmentoftheDunmoreHillsareatoprovidecertaintyforthelongtermextractionofhardrockresourcesthroughtheestablishmentofeitherbiodiversitycertificationand/orbio-bankingagreements

NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil

Short/Medium

5.4 Thesequencingofreleaseareasinthevicinityofmineralresources should ensure extraction activities can continue


Long

5.5 EnsureSydneyDrinkingWaterCatchmentareasareprotectedfromdevelopmentthatdoesnotmeettheneutralorbeneficialeffect test

WollongongCityCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil;NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;SydneyCatchmentAuthority

Ongoing



Managing the Illawarra’s environment and heritage


6.1 Localplanswillbepreparedusingkeyenvironmentandheritageassets(asmapped)to:■■ avoidandminimisetheimpactofdevelopmentonkeyassetsandwherenotpossible,considerappropriateoffsetorothermitigationmechanisms

■■ maintainexistingenvironmentalprotectionsforkeyassets


Ongoing

6.2 Clarifythelocationofthecorridorandtheimportantenvironmentalvaluesthatneedtobeprotected

OfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short

6.3 LocalPlansshouldaimtoprotectthelandsidentifiedwithintheIllawarraBiodiversityCorridorwhilealsohavingregardtootherland uses in the corridor including extraction and urban development


Ongoing

6.4 ContinuewithbiodiversitycertificationforWestDapto

NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;WollongongCityCouncil

Short

6.5 Recordtheprocesses,justificationsandbiodiversityoutcomesintheplanningofNowra-Bomaderrylandreleases

NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short

6.6 Protectkeyenvironmentandheritageassetswhenrezoningland


Ongoing

6.7 Local Plans should ensure the ongoing protection of vulnerable estuariesandcoastallakesfrominappropriatedevelopmenttypes


Ongoing

6.8 Outcomesoftherisk-baseddecisionframeworktointegratewaterqualityoutcomesinthestrategicplanningprocesswillbeimplementedbyCouncilsthroughplanningandinfrastructureprogrammingofdevelopmentsiteswithinLakeIllawarracatchment

WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil

Short/Medium

6.9 ContinuetoimplementtherecommendationsoftheSensitiveUrbanLandsPanel,includingguidingthedevelopmentformandenvironmentalmanagementofLakeWollumboola

DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShoalhavenCityCouncil

Short

6.10 DevelopanAboriginalculturalheritageprocessmaptoclarifyandguidetheadditionalinvestigationsforthedevelopmentofprecinct and neighbourhood plans in West Dapto

NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment

Short



REFERENCES

1. WollongongCityCouncil(2013)EconomicDevelopmentStrategy

2. WollongongUniversity(2013)SubmissiontotheIllawarra Discussion Paper

3. PropertyCouncilofAustralia(2013)OfficeMarketReport,Wollongong

4. TheGPTGroup(n.d.)WollongongCentral,http://www.gpt.com.au/Our-Business/Our-Properties/Wollongong-Central

5. AdvantageWollongong(n.d.)AdvantageWollongongBrochure,http://www.advantagewollongong.com.au/system/files/f3/o66//Advantage-Wollongong-Brochure.pdf

6. HelloCity(2014)ShapingWollongong:ideasforgreatergoodness,incollaborationwithPropertyCouncil of Australia

7. BureauofTransportStatistics(2011)JourneyToWork,http://www.bts.nsw.gov.au/Statistics/jtw/default.aspx#top

8. PortKemblaPortCorporation(n.d.)PortKembla,http://www.portkembla.com.au

9. NSWPorts(n.d.)NSWPortsTradeReport2012/2013,http://www.kemblaport.com.au/assets/Trade-Reports/FINAL-NSW-Ports-Trade-Report-2012-2013-Low-Res.pdf

10. AdvantageWollongong(2011)PortKemblaHarbourUpgrade,http://advantagewollongong.com.au/page/major-new-developments/port-kembla-harbour-upgrade/

11. AdvantageWollongong(2014)WollongongInvestorProspectus,http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/city/economicdevelopment/Documents/Advantage%20Wollongong%20Investor%20Prospectus.pdf

12. ACILTasmin(2011)MaldonDombartonRailLinkFeasibilityStudy,preparedfortheDepartmentofInfrastructure and Transport

13. AustralianBureauofStatistics(2001-2011)Employment, Income and Unpaid Work, 2011,Canberra

14. AustralianBureauofStatistics(2011)generatedinApril2014withtablebuilderusingEmployment, Income and Unpaid Work,2011,Canberra

15. IRIS(2011)IllawarraUpdate2011AnEconomicReportCard,IRISResearch,Wollongong.

16. BureauofTransportStatistics(2011)JourneyToWork,http://www.bts.nsw.gov.au/Statistics/jtw/default.aspx#top

17. DestinationNSW(2013)LGAVisitorProfilesforWollongong,Shellharbour,KiamaandShoalhavenLGAs,http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/tourism/facts-and-figures/local-area-profiles

18. DepartmentofEducation,EmploymentandWorkplaceRelations(2013)Awardcoursecompletions2013,Canberra,http://education.gov.au/selected-higher-education-statistics-2013-student-data

19. UniversityofWollongong(2014)UOWataglance,https://www.uow.edu.au/about/statistics/index.html

20. TAFENSWIllawarraInstitute(n.d.)Aboutus,http://www.illawarra.tafensw.edu.au/about-us

21. Carndo(2014)IllawarraIndustrialLandsStudy,June2014,Wollongong

22. DeloittesAccessEconomics(2014)InfrastructureforIllawarra’sEconomicFuture,forInfrastructureNSW


Source:DeeKramer

Source:TourismShellharbour

Source:DeeKramer

OCTOBER 2014DRAFT REGIONAL GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

your futureIllawarra