Plans for Wollongong's landmark $275 million WIN Grand development have undergone a dramatic transformation, drawing sharp criticism from residents and council officials who say the revised proposal prioritises profits over community benefits.
Community facilities sacrificed for housing density
The redesigned project, now under assessment as a State Significant Development, has eliminated key community facilities that were central to its original 2023 approval. A public swimming pool and cinema complex have been completely removed from the plans for the city-block sized development between Crown, Burelli, Keira and Atchison streets.
Local resident Patricia O'Brien, who lives nearby in the CBD, voiced the frustration felt by many in her submission during the 14-day public exhibition period. "The original concept for this site included a swimming pool, cinema complex, and small park - important shared spaces that would have contributed to a sense of wellbeing, inclusion, and amenity," she wrote.
O'Brien described the removal of these facilities as representing "a cynical disregard for the community's quality of life and for Wollongong's vision as a liveable, human-scaled city."
Taller towers, more apartments, reduced cost
The revised design significantly increases housing density while paradoxically reducing the overall project cost. The development now proposes 546 apartments across four residential towers, up from the originally approved 390 dwellings.
This increased density has been achieved through taller buildings that take advantage of height limit bonuses for including affordable housing. Of the total apartments, 132 would be designated as affordable housing.
Despite the expanded scale and two years having passed since the original approval, developer Level 33 has managed to reduce the project's estimated cost from about $292 million to approximately $275 million.
Council and community voice strong objections
Wollongong City Council expressed disappointment in its official submission, noting that "the majority of those components have now been removed from the proposal which is disappointing." The council had previously praised the 2023 version for retaining The Grand hotel as a pub and live music venue while incorporating cinema, health facilities and exhibition space.
Council also raised specific concerns about insufficient separation between buildings and how the development meets the streets.
Wollongong city councillor Andrew Anthony criticised the consultation process as "inadequate and poorly publicised," expressing concerns about "transparency, community engagement and the erosion of public benefit."
Public sentiment appears overwhelmingly negative, with 29 of the 30 submissions on the NSW Major Projects website opposing the changes. The sole supportive submission came from a Chatswood real estate agent and consisted of just one sentence.
The developer, Level 33, declined to comment when contacted by the Illawarra Mercury, stating they are reviewing the submissions as part of the planning process. Their revised application argues the new design better optimises housing provision, particularly given the site's proximity to Wollongong train station and current government priorities around housing supply.
