The New South Wales Government has finalised new planning controls for North Wollongong that allow apartment towers up to ten storeys, aiming to deliver an estimated 5,300 new homes. The changes apply to the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) precinct east of North Wollongong train station, between Flinders Street and Kembla Street, with boundaries at Blacket Street, Pleasant Avenue, and Gipps Street.
Under the new rules, maximum building heights increase to between 22 and 32 metres, equivalent to eight to ten storeys, depending on design. The floor space ratio rises from 1.5:1 to 2.5:1. Developers of projects 2,000 square metres or larger must contribute affordable housing equivalent to 2 per cent of total gross floor area.
The precinct excludes the most flood-constrained land but captures area up to 900 metres south-east of the station. The Planning Department reports that over 7,100 homes are under assessment or approved in TOD areas from the Hunter to the Illawarra.
Planning Minister Paul Scully said the North Wollongong TOD is an example of state and local government collaboration. “North Wollongong is well connected to jobs, transport, education, shops and services making it the ideal place for new homes,” he said. “Importantly through this process we have also mandated affordable housing to boost housing diversity.”
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown praised the outcome, stating, “The collaboration between council and the NSW Government has helped shape a precinct that supports housing choice, affordability and emergency management priorities. This is a significant step forward in delivering more housing in well-connected parts of our city.”
