your fturue illawarra
TRANSCRIPT
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
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 7
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.
8 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 9
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
10 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 11
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.
12 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
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.
14 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 15
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’.
16 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 17
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.
18 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Northern Growth Corridor
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:
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
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.
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;TransportforNSW
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 Regional Centre
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 21
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
1.3 Develop a Regional Release Areas Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:
Department of Planning and Environment
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
22 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 23
WOLLONGONGWOLLONGONG
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 Regional Centre
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
1.4 Develop a Nowra Centre Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:
Department of Planning and Environment
Short
■■ Planningforpublicdomainimprovements,modelurbandesignoutcomesandexamineaccessissuesinandaroundtheCentretosupportitseconomicgrowth.
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Short
■■ Developing initiatives to increase public transport usageandbetterintegratewalkingandcyclingintheNowraCentre.
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil;TransportforNSW
Short
24 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
WOLLONGONGWOLLONGONG
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 Regional Centre
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 25
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
1.5 Develop an International Trade Gateway Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:
Department of Planning and Environment
Short
■■ EnsuringMaldon-Dombartonrailcorridorisprotectedinlocalplanningcontrols.
WollongongCityCouncil Long
■■ Investigatingtheimplicationsonthesupplyofindustriallandforoff-siteindustrialareassuchasKemblaGrangethatcansupportportandnon-portrelateduses.
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil
Medium
26 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
1.6 Develop a Shoalhaven Defence Bases Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:
Department of Planning and Environment
Short
■■ EnsuringthatLocalPlansmapandprotecttheairand ground space around defence facilities so that newdevelopmentdoesnothinderexpansion.
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
■■ ProtectingthecapabilityofNowra’scommercialandindustrialprecinctstocontinuetogrowdefence-related industries (including support for infrastructureplanninganddelivery).
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
■■ Recognising the potential opportunities for avionics industryattheIllawarraRegionalAirport.
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShellharbourCityCouncil
Ongoing
28 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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 Regional Centre
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.
30 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 31
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.
32 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 33
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.
34 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
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
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils
Ongoing
2.5 SupportthegrowthofTheUniversityofWollongongbycoordinatinginfrastructureandaccessarrangementsandidentifyingstudenthousingopportunities
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;TransportforNSW;WollongongCityCouncil
Short
2.6 EnsureanongoingsupplyofindustriallandsthroughCouncils’LocalPlans
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils
Ongoing
2.7 Investigateoptionstoincreasethesupplyofoff-portindustrial land that can support the ongoing developmentofthePortofPortKembla
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil
Medium
36 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 37
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
2.8 EnsureCouncil-basedmechanismsorcontrolswillsupportthenetworkofcentres,includingresistinginappropriateout-of-centreretailing
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils
Ongoing
38 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
2.9 MonitorthesupplyofindustriallandsthroughtheEmploymentLandsDevelopmentProgram
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment
Ongoing
2.10 Collaborate with servicing agencies to support the markettake-upofindustrialland
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Servicingagencies;Councils
Ongoing
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 39
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
2.11 ConductapilotprojectforthestrategicassessmentoflandheldbyaLocalAboriginalLandCouncil
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;AboriginalAffairsNSW
Short
40 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 41
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.
42 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 43
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.
44 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 45
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
WOLLONGONGWOLLONGONG
DAPTODAPTO
Regional City
Major Regional Centre
Major Town
1,050 Shell Cove Boat Harbour
3,700 Remaining
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
WOLLONGONGWOLLONGONG
DAPTODAPTO
Regional City
Major Regional Centre
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.
48 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
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
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;KiamaMunicipalCouncil
Short
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 49
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.
50 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
3.4 ContinueimplementingtheIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkforWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderry
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
3.5 ContinuetomonitorlandandhousingsupplythroughtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram,andincorporate the Shoalhaven LGA
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 51
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
3.6 ImplementneighbourhoodplanningprinciplesinLocalPlans,DevelopmentControlPlans,andothercouncilbasedmechanisms
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils
Ongoing
52 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 53
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:
54 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
PROJECT TIMING (YEARS) SOURCE STATUS
IllawarraElectiveSurgicalServicesCentreatWollongongHospital
1-5years NSWBudget2014-15
Currentlyunderconstruction
ParkingupgradeatWollongongHospital
1-5years NSWBudget2014-15
Currentlyunderconstruction
EmergencyDepartmentexpansionatWollongongHospital
1-5years NSWBudget2014-15
Funded
Sub-acuteMentalHealthUnitatShoalhavenHospital
1-5years Illawarra Shoalhaven Local HealthDistrict
Currentlyunderconstruction
BulliHospitalUpgrade 1-5years Illawarra Shoalhaven Local HealthDistrict
Currentlyunderconstruction
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 55
ThereareanumberofeducationrelatedinfrastructureworksintheIllawarrathatarecurrentlyfundedorunderconstruction and include:
PROJECT TIMING (YEARS) SOURCE STATUS
IllawarraIndustryTrainingCollege 1-5years NSWBudget2014-15
Funded
KooloobongStudentVillageStage2 1-5years UniversitysubmissiontoDiscussion Paper
Currentlyunderconstruction
EarlyStartFacility(highlyspecialisedteachingandresearchspace)
1-5years UniversitysubmissiontoDiscussion Paper
Currentlyunderconstruction
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).
56 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Potentialfutureproject
UpgradeofPictonRoad 5-20years LongTermTransportMasterPlan
Potentialfutureproject
UpgradeofIllawarraHighway 5-20years LongTermTransportMasterPlan
Potentialfutureproject
UpgradeofPrincesHighwaytoSouthCoast
5-20years LongTermTransportMasterPlan
Potentialfutureproject
TransportCorridorUpgrades,RoadSafety,CommunityTransportServices
1-5years5-20years
LongTermTransportMasterPlan
Potentialfutureproject
Freight Rail Pre-constructionplanningforMaldon-DombartonRailLine
10-20years LongTermTransportMasterPlan
Potentialfutureproject
UpgradeofMossVale–UnanderraRailLine
5-20years State Infrastructure Strategy
Potentialfutureproject
Passenger Rail NewTrainStationatShellCove(formerlyFlinders)andtrainstationimprovements
1-5years5-20years
LongTermTransportMasterPlan
Underconstruction
Ports PortKemblaOuterHarbourRedevelopment
1-20years NSWFreightandPortsStrategy
Potentialfutureproject
ReplacementPilotVessel 1-5years NSWBudget2014-15 Funded
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 57
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.
58 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Currentlyunderconstruction
Electricity RussellValeZoneSubstationUpgrade
1-5years EndeavourEnergy
Currentlyunderconstruction
Electricity BulliZoneSubstationUpgrade
1-5years EndeavourEnergy
Currentlyunderconstruction
Electricity TomerongZoneSubstationUpgrade
1-5years EndeavourEnergy
Currentlyunderconstruction
Electricity CulburraZoneSubstationUpgrade
1-5years EndeavourEnergy
Currentlyunderconstruction
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 59
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:
PROJECT TIMING (YEARS) SOURCE STATUS
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)
Planning & business caserequired
IllawarraHighwayUpgradethroughtheAlbionParkurbanarea
10+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)
Planning & business caserequired
NorthcliffeDriveOverpass 10+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)
Planning & business caserequired
MastersRoadFlyover 10+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)
Planning & business caserequired
M1-additionallanesatvarioussectionsfromTallawarratoMountKeiraRoad
10+ Draft Special Infrastructure Contributions –Illawarra (WestLakeIllawarra)
Planning & business caserequired
60 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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:
PROJECT TIMING (YEARS) SOURCE STATUS
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
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 61
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
1-5years EndeavourEnergy
Currentlyunder construction
62 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
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
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 63
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.
64 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
Logistics & Port related
Transforming manufacturing
Tourism
Education
Logistics & Port related
Transforming manufacturing
Tourism
University & Education
Health & Aged Care
ICT/Knowledge Services
Logistics & Port related
Transforming manufacturing
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 65
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
4.4 Continue to build a case for investmentinstrategicinfrastructure in the Region
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;InfrastructureNSW;DepartmentofPremierandCabinet;NSWTradeandInvestment;NSWHealth;DepartmentofEducationandTraining;UniversityofWollongong.
Ongoing
66 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
68 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
5.1 Mapregionallyimportantagriculturallandusingagreedmappingprinciples
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries
Short
5.2 ReflecttheoutcomesoftheregionallyimportantagriculturallandsmappingprojectinLocalPlans
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Medium
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 69
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.
70 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
5.3 CommenceastrategicbiodiversityassessmentoftheDunmoreHillsareatoprovidecertaintyforthelongtermextractionofhardrockresourcesthroughtheestablishmentofeitherbiodiversitycertificationand/orbio-bankingagreements
NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil
Short/Medium
5.4 Thesequencingofreleaseareasinthevicinityofmineralresourcesshouldensureextractionactivitiescan continue
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Long
5.5 EnsureSydneyDrinkingWaterCatchmentareasareprotectedfromdevelopmentthatdoesnotmeettheneutral or beneficial effect test
WollongongCityCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil;NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;SydneyCatchmentAuthority
Ongoing
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 71
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.
72 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
ThirroulThirroul
WOLLONGONGWOLLONGONGUnanderraUnanderra
DAPTODAPTO Port Kembla
SHELLHARBOUR
KiamaKiama
Ulladulla
NOWRA
Major Highways
Railway Line
Regional City
Major Regional Centre
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
6.1 Localplanswillbepreparedusingkeyenvironmentandheritageassets(asmapped)to:■■ avoidandminimisetheimpactofdevelopmentonkeyassetsandwherenotpossible,considerappropriateoffsetorothermitigationmechanisms
■■ maintainexistingenvironmentalprotectionsforkeyassets
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
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
74 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
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
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 75
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
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
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
76 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
6.7 Local Plans should ensure the ongoing protection of vulnerable estuariesandcoastallakesfrominappropriatedevelopmenttypes
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
6.8 Outcomesoftherisk-baseddecisionframeworktointegratewaterqualityoutcomesinthestrategicplanningprocesswillbeimplementedbyCouncils through planning and infrastructureprogrammingofdevelopmentsiteswithinLakeIllawarracatchment
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil
Short/Medium
6.9 ContinuetoimplementtherecommendationsoftheSensitiveUrbanLandsPanel,includingguidingthedevelopmentformandenvironmentalmanagementofLakeWollumboola
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Short
78 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
6.10 Develop an Aboriginal cultural heritageprocessmaptoclarifyandguide the additional investigations for thedevelopmentofprecinctandneighbourhood plans in West Dapto
NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment
Short
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 79
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
80 Draft 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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 81
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.
82 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 83
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
84 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 85
CENTRES HIERARCHY
COMMERCIAL CENTRES SERVICING THE ILLAWARRA KEY FUNCTIONS OF CENTRE
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.
86 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
CENTRES HIERARCHY
COMMERCIAL CENTRES SERVICING THE ILLAWARRA KEY FUNCTIONS OF CENTRE
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.
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 87
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.
88 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
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
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;TransportforNSW
Short
NORTHERN GROWTH CORRIDOR
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
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
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;TransportforNSW
Short
* Short 0–5yrs Medium 6–10 Long 11+yrs
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 89
REGIONAL RELEASE AREAS
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
1.3 Develop a Regional Release Areas Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:
Department of Planning and Environment
Short
ContinuingwiththeIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkforWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderry
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
DevelopinganInfrastructureCoordinationPlanforWestLakeIllawarra DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil
Short
DevelopinganInfrastructureCoordinationPlanforNowra-Bomaderry DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Short
NOWRA CENTRE
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
1.4 Develop a Nowra Centre Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:
Department of Planning and Environment
Short
Planningforpublicdomainimprovements,modelurbandesignoutcomesandexamineaccessissuesinandaroundtheCentretosupportitseconomicgrowth
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Short
Developing initiatives to increase public transport usage and better integratewalkingandcyclingintheNowraCentre
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil;TransportforNSW
Short
* Short 0–5yrs Medium 6–10 Long 11+yrs
90 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
INTERNATIONAL TRADE GATEWAY
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
1.5 Develop an International Trade Gateway Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:
Department of Planning and Environment
Short
EnsuringMaldon-Dombartonrailcorridorisprotectedinlocalplanning controls
WollongongCityCouncil Long
Investigatingtheimplicationsonthesupplyofindustriallandforoff-siteindustrialareassuchasKemblaGrangethatcansupportportandnon-portrelateduses
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil
Medium
SHOALHAVEN DEFENCE BASE
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
1.6 Develop a Shoalhaven Defence Bases Action Plan. The Action Plan will identify specific actions including:
Department of Planning and Environment
Short
EnsuringthatLocalPlansmapandprotecttheairandgroundspacearounddefencefacilitiessothatnewdevelopmentdoesnot hinder expansion
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
ProtectingthecapabilityofNowra’scommercialandindustrialprecincts to continue to grow defence related industries (includingsupportforinfrastructureplanninganddelivery)
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
* Short 0–5yrs Medium 6–10 Long 11+yrs
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 91
Developing a prosperous Illawarra
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
2.1 IncorporatetheframeworktosupporteconomicgrowthintoabroadereconomicdevelopmentplanfortheIllawarra
DepartmentofPremierandCabinet;NSWTradeandInvestment
Short
2.2 Identifythepotentialfornewvisitorassetsoractivitiesforthetourismindustry
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;DestinationWollongong;TourismShellharbour;KiamaTourism;ShoalhavenTourism;Councils;
Medium
2.3 Ensureagedappropriateplanningprinciplesareincorporatedinto local planning
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils
Medium
2.4 Ensureanongoingcapacityforofficespacethroughlocalplanning controls
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils
Ongoing
2.5 SupportthegrowthoftheUniversityofWollongongbycoordinatinginfrastructureandaccessarrangementsandidentifyingstudenthousingopportunities
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;TransportforNSW;WollongongCityCouncil
Short
2.6 EnsureanongoingsupplyofindustriallandsthroughCouncils’Local Plans
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils
Ongoing
2.7 Investigatetheimplicationsonthesupplyofindustriallandforoff site industrial areas that can support the ongoing developmentofthePortofPortKembla
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil
Medium
2.8 EnsureCouncil-basedmechanismsorcontrolswillsupportthenetworkofcentres,includingresistinginappropriateout-of-centre retailing
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Councils
Ongoing
2.9 MonitorthesupplyofindustriallandsthroughtheEmploymentLandsDevelopmentProgram
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment Ongoing
2.10 Collaboratewithservicingagenciestosupportthemarkettake-upofindustrialland
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;Servicingagencies;Councils
Ongoing
2.11 ConductapilotprojectforthestrategicassessmentoflandheldbyaLocalAboriginalLandCouncil
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;AboriginalAffairsNSW
Short
* Short 0–5yrs Medium 6–10 Long 11+yrs
92 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
Meeting the Illawarra’s Demand for Housing
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
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 identified in theKiamaUrbanStrategy,andidentifyanappropriateboundaryfor the southern expansion of Gerringong
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;KiamaMunicipalCouncil
Short
3.4 ContinueimplementingtheIntegratedDeliveryFrameworkforWestDaptoandNowra-Bomaderry
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
3.5 ContinuetomonitorlandandhousingsupplythroughtheIllawarraUrbanDevelopmentProgram,andincorporatetheShoalhaven LGA
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
3.6 ImplementneighbourhoodplanningprinciplesinLocalPlans,DevelopmentControlPlans,andothercouncilbasedmechanisms
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment Ongoing
* Short 0–5yrs Medium 6–10 Long 11+yrs
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 93
Providing the infrastructure necessary for Illawarra’s growth
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
4.1 DevelopanInfrastructureCoordinationPlanforWestLakeIllawarra
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;WollongongCityCouncil
Short
4.2 DevelopanInfrastructureCoordinationPlanforNowra-Bomaderry
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Short
4.3 EachCouncilshouldensureithasaccesstolongtermcapacitytomanagewasteassociatedwithprojectedgrowth
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Long
4.4 Continuetobuildacaseforinvestmentinstrategicinfrastructure in the Region
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;InfrastructureNSW;DepartmentofPremierandCabinet;NSWTradeandInvestment;NSWHealth,DepartmentofEducationandTrainingandUniversityofWollongong
Ongoing
Managing the Illawarra’s agriculture and natural resources
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING*
5.1 Mapregionallyimportantagriculturallandusingagreedmappingprinciples
DepartmentofPlanningandEnvironment;DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries
Short
5.2 Reflecttheoutcomesoftheregionallyimportantagriculturallandsmappingprojectinlocalplans
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Medium
5.3 CommenceastrategicbiodiversityassessmentoftheDunmoreHillsareatoprovidecertaintyforthelongtermextractionofhardrockresourcesthroughtheestablishmentofeitherbiodiversitycertificationand/orbio-bankingagreements
NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil
Short/Medium
5.4 Thesequencingofreleaseareasinthevicinityofmineralresources should ensure extraction activities can continue
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Long
5.5 EnsureSydneyDrinkingWaterCatchmentareasareprotectedfromdevelopmentthatdoesnotmeettheneutralorbeneficialeffect test
WollongongCityCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil;NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;SydneyCatchmentAuthority
Ongoing
* Short 0–5yrs Medium 6–10 Long 11+yrs
94 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
Managing the Illawarra’s environment and heritage
ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMING
6.1 Localplanswillbepreparedusingkeyenvironmentandheritageassets(asmapped)to:■■ avoidandminimisetheimpactofdevelopmentonkeyassetsandwherenotpossible,considerappropriateoffsetorothermitigationmechanisms
■■ maintainexistingenvironmentalprotectionsforkeyassets
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
6.2 Clarifythelocationofthecorridorandtheimportantenvironmentalvaluesthatneedtobeprotected
OfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Short
6.3 LocalPlansshouldaimtoprotectthelandsidentifiedwithintheIllawarraBiodiversityCorridorwhilealsohavingregardtootherland uses in the corridor including extraction and urban development
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
6.4 ContinuewithbiodiversitycertificationforWestDapto
NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;WollongongCityCouncil
Short
6.5 Recordtheprocesses,justificationsandbiodiversityoutcomesintheplanningofNowra-Bomaderrylandreleases
NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Short
6.6 Protectkeyenvironmentandheritageassetswhenrezoningland
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
Ongoing
6.7 Local Plans should ensure the ongoing protection of vulnerable estuariesandcoastallakesfrominappropriatedevelopmenttypes
WollongongCityCouncil;ShellharbourCityCouncil;KiamaMunicipalCouncil;ShoalhavenCityCouncil
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
* Short 0–5yrs Medium 6–10 Long 11+yrs
Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan 95
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3. PropertyCouncilofAustralia(2013)OfficeMarketReport,Wollongong
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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
96 Draft Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan
Source:DeeKramer
Source:TourismShellharbour
Source:DeeKramer
OCTOBER 2014DRAFT REGIONAL GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
your futureIllawarra