August's NF1 Report

Helensburgh Work Update – Short St Blister

NF1 received an email from Glen Whittaker, Manager Project Delivery, Wollongong City Council saying that he is responding to resident submissions regarding the proposed installation of a permanent blister at the intersection of Short St and Walker St. Council has decided to delete the permanent installation and is proposing to install a painted blister with movable kerb units that will allow it to monitor pedestrian and traffic flow, and assess the impacts. The nature of the construction will allow council to modify the proposal if the blister proves unsuitable. Once finalised, plans will be distributed to the community.

Draft Helensburgh Park Crown Reserves Plan of Management – Public Exhibition

Council has drawn up a Plan of Management for a proposal to allow for the new Helensburgh Community Centre and Library to be constructed in conjunction with upgrades to the memorial pool on the site of where the pool administration building is situated. The Crown Reserves include majority of Rex Jackson Park, all of Charles Harper Park, all of the Helensburgh Pool, the Tennis Courts and Cricket Ground. At Council’s meeting on 18 July it was resolved unanimously that the draft Helensburgh Park Crown Reserves Plan of Management be referred to NSW Department of Planning and Environment for ministerial consent to exhibit the plan, including adding the purpose of community purposes to enable the development and operation of a new Helensburgh Community Centre and Library. After it is approved by the Department of Planning and Environment and the Minister consents, the community will be asked to provide council with comments. Pictured below left is one possible example of how a combined facility could be integrated with the pool.

This is the very first step in getting a new centre built – it is still five years away.

Alcohol-Free Zones Review Helensburgh

Wollongong City Council is considering the re-establishment of all Alcohol-Free Zones (AFZs) and is seeking feedback to help determine whether they should be reimplemented or changed. There is an AFZ in Helensburgh which has a four-year term that will expire on 30 September 2022. The aim of AFZs is to improve community safety and prevent disorderly behaviour. Have your say by 12 August.

Connecting Neighbourhood Grants

Wollongong City Council is offering residents grants worth up to $500 for ideas for events, activities or community projects that will have a positive impact during the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in September. Applications open until 15 August.

Lot 2 Short Lane Helensburgh – update

The applicant had appealed council’s refusal in the Land and Environment court and has now updated the development application. Council is asking for further submissions after the developer has submitted modification to their original plans.

Otford Community Centre upgrade

The centre will be in service until September, then it will be refurbished. Alternative venues are being explored for use during the centre’s closure.

General Business

Discussion about toilets in Helensburgh raised the lack of toilets in the cemetery and in the CBD after the closure of the Community Centre.

A suggestion was made to move the Police Station to the vacant lot on Walker St next to the Butchery.

Find more information on the above topics at wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Next NF1 meeting at 7pm on Wednesday, 10 August at Otford Community Hall.