NF1 Report on March meeting

By Warwick Erwin, convenor of Neighbourhood Forum 1, which covers the 2508 area

The Lord Mayor Cr Gordon Bradbery, Cr Cameron Walters, Cr Richard Martin and two Council Officers, Manager Project Delivery and Manager Infrastructure Strategy and Planning, attended the meeting, contributing to the discussion and information from Council on the following

Otford Causeway of the Hacking River – Otford Rd

Two meetings with Otford residents were held before NF1 met. Concerns were raised regarding evacuation and access for emergency services during a bushfire, as well as speeding, drainage, potholes, narrow road with erosion on edges and no paths on Otford Road, which is the alternate route and now is not safe with the extra traffic. Concerns about extra travel times and the impact on businesses and local sports access were also raised.

Residents would like the causeway to have two lanes with a safe pedestrian walkway and lighting that clearly shows any water over the roadway. A suggestion was a temporary pedestrian bridge, maybe installed by the army, to help prevent the separation of the community and allow safe access to the school and railway station for residents on the western side of the Hacking River. The potential impact on the Otford Public School from families facing greatly increased travel time both from the western side of the river and Helensburgh was also raised.

The Lord Mayor confirmed that in Council’s opinion the replacement of the causeway was the best option. In 2020, Council considered if it would be feasible to build a bridge, rather than a causeway, over the Hacking River. The research showed the bridge would need to span approximately 90-metres to reach a height that would provide safe access in major flood events. However, this solution was deemed not practical when the terrain, geography and impact to residents and on private property are taken into account. There is no confirmation of a timeframe to complete the works yet. It is likely the road will remain closed for many months. The council are aware of the impact this will have on the local community and are focused on reopening the road as soon as possible.

The design of the new causeway will have larger and fewer culverts underneath to stop debris building up. The council will look at using money from disaster funding and will provide an exemption on tendering to speed up the process. Overhead powerlines may have to be relocated. Council has set up a webpage for community engagement and updates.

A list of issues impacting on the Otford community was provided to the Lord Mayor, Councillors and Council Officers.

New Helensburgh Community Centre and Library

Wollongong Council is continuing to progress this project through the necessary approval pathways (with the necessary levels of due diligence) as quickly as possible and will commence community engagement regarding concept design at the appropriate interval.

The progress of the Plan of Management process with Crown Lands has also been positive to date. The existing Helensburgh Library site and adjacent lots remain in Council’s ownership. Demolition of the Helensburgh Community Centre is currently programmed for July 2023, after a delay due to the UCI Event in September 2022.

Phase 3 Helensburgh Town Plan

Wollongong Council undertook community engagement circa 2016 in relation to a proposal to renew footpaths throughout sections of the Helensburgh Town Centre. At the time the community responded that Helensburgh needed a Town Centre Masterplan rather than footpaths renewed. The response from the community was taken on board and the proposed renewal plans deferred to enable a more holistic plan to be prepared. A Streetscape Masterplan was prepared and stages of implementation were estimated. Since then, work has commenced as part of the beautifying of Helensburgh for the UCI bike race. There has been criticism from the community regarding the steepness of the speed humps in Walker Street, which were not built to standard, and disabled parking difficult to access and more spaces required. There have also been drainage problems outside of Coles which are now being rectified and the installation of the traffic diversion device at the top of Short Street will no longer proceed. Work on stage 3 on the western side of Walker Street will commence this financial year and continue into early next year.

Green space promised next to current library in Walker St, Helensburgh

The properties next to the current library were acquired by Wollongong Council as part of the new library project. Noting the existing structures on these sites, Council is undertaking preliminary works and investigations. This will help inform any options in the short term in relation to these sites. The future of the sites will depend on whether these are required for the project and any proposed use will need to be aligned to this purpose and be a strategic decision at that time.

Otford Hall – upgrade/renovations

Wollongong Council had originally planned to upgrade Otford Hall and the adjoining toilet facilities to make it larger, more accessible and more usable. This option would not require a DA or be subject to a fire rating. However, after a tendering process to undertake the work, the Council were not satisfied with any of the tenders and have decided the most cost-effective option would be to completely rebuild the hall and toilet. A DA will be required and will be subject to a fire rating, which will take longer, but will be a better solution for the Otford Community in the long term. Council was requested to not start any work on site until the causeway has been replaced.

Helensburgh Cemetery maintenance including fencing and fixing the entrance

There has been no response from Wollongong Council to date in regards to questions from NF1.

Waratah Street playground equipment fencing

Wollongong Council have resolved to undertake partial fencing of the site along the roadside of the playground.

Missing or incomplete infrastructure projects in Helensburgh

Junction Street footpath along the side of Helensburgh Public School between High Street and Fletcher Street (required for safe access to the school for children, especially those with a disability, as well as mums with prams walking their children to school). This work may require a trade off with removing trees and a loss of parking.

Walker Street footpath between Coles and Witty Road (required for access to shops and doctor’s surgery particularly elderly people with walking aids).

The Crescent drainage works. There is a steel plate still in roadway.

However, work will be undertaken by Wollongong Council to upgrade the footpath in Lukin Street from number 72 to 74 and Park Street to end – design in FY2023/24 and construction in FY2024/25 as well as provide a footpath along Parkes Street from Lilyvale Street to Cemetery Road - design in FY2024/25 and construction in FY2025/26.

There will be an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on the projects and priorities in Council’s draft 4 year Infrastructure Delivery Program (FY2024 to FY2028) in April 2023.

Vehicle protection for sport fields – Rex Jackson Ovals

Wollongong Council has recently been successful in securing a grant through the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund managed by the Office of Sport. The grant amount was $3,241,666.00, with Council contributing towards the project ($4.05m total project spend). The project includes new sports field lights for Helensburgh Park (`Rex Jackson Oval’) and improvements and renewal at Helensburgh Pool. Helensburgh Pool upgrade will include demolition of the 25m pool shell with a new improved pool shell that will incorporate a beach accessible entry point, a new splash pad and improvements to the pool filtration, shade and accessible facilities.

Railway Parade Stanwell Park reconstruction required

The new curb along Railway Parade has made the road too narrow for cars to drive along when cars are parked on either side of the road. The garbage truck also has difficulty passing and the elderly residents at Hillcrest don’t like parking up the hill away from their residence.

Other Items

• 169 Walker Street enforcement action is underway and remains ongoing. At this time, we are not able to provide further comment due to the confidentiality associated with any investigation.
• 125 Princes Highway is currently under direction with Council issuing an Order under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, should the Order not be complied with further regulatory action may be taken to ensure compliance.
• Footbridge at 173 Lawrence Hargrave Drive was approved in 2010 according to our records.
• 750 Princes Highway. Following the provision of additional information and amendments, in 2020 Council agreed to the Court granting development consent to the use of 750 Princes Highway for two dwellings, stables, and a rural supplies business. The conditions of consent also required the demolition of a number of other structures and works, and the submission of further reports and certification. Those reports and certificates were belatedly provided and Council is confirming the adequacy of the documentation submitted by the Applicant. The accuracy of the documentation is to be checked with a follow-up site inspection.
• Sandstone curb, development at 65 Walker Street – Wollongong Council’s Development Approval for 65 Walker Street Helensburgh (DA-2019/756/A) requires the developer to upgrade the site frontage in accordance with Council standards, including the Business Centre’s Public Domain Technical Manual. The approval requires the retention and where necessary, restoration of the sandstone curb. Council staff will continue to monitor the site to ensure that the developer completes the works in accordance with Council requirements and in accordance with the development consent. Council to investigate the blocking of the footpath.

How long can someone park their caravan on the street?

In November 2022, a piece of legislation was introduced titled the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 to assist Councils in managing unattended items in public spaces. This legislation details different classes of items, timeframes in which each specific class of item can be left unattended, notice periods that are required before action can be taken and compliance and enforcement tools for Councils to have the items removed. Having registered vehicles parked in the same location for more than 28 days is an offence under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021.

Fencing around Proud Park

A request has been made to Wollongong Council to install a fence around Proud Park, near the former Helensburgh waste facility, which is a designated off-leash dog park to stop dogs running off into the nearby bush and surrounding national park. Council has raised concerns regarding impacts of a fence on the heritage values of the site.

Next NF1 meeting is Wed, April 12 at Otford Community Hall; please drive slowly on Otford Rd. Council Staff will present the Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2023-24