There's been an overwhelmingly positive public response to visionary plans to transform Warrawong Parklands into a world-class park.

The NSW Government is currently seeking feedback on its draft master plan, which has been shaped by big ideas from the community and key stakeholders. The public consultation period closes at 5pm this Wednesday, 15 October 2025.

During the 28-day consultation period, officers from the government have taken to the streets, seeking public feedback at Warrawong Plaza, Shellharbour Stocklands and Neighbourhood Forum 7. 

Last weekend the team set up their feedback marquee at the Warrawong Markets on the Lake Illawarra foreshore, answering a steady stream of questions and taking on board new ideas or suggestions.

NSW Planning and Environment Senior Manager Anthony Petre said the community feedback to date had been invaluable. 

"It's helping set the vision for what this could be," Anthony said. "After all, this is being created for the community not for the government."

The study area is expansive, stretching from Primbee in the east to the Illawarra Yacht Club along the northern foreshore of Lake Illawarra on the western side.

Lake Management Committee not consulted

However, no input has been sought from the "caretakers" of the lake, the Lake Illawarra Estuary Management Committee. They were also excluded from consultation on the recent controversial jet ski hire development application process.

A spokesperson for Wollongong City Council said the Lake Illawarra Committee "oversees and, where needed, provides advice on the implementation of actions within the Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program".

The Council's website says: "The Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program (CMP) is a long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the Lake. It includes a set of actions to reduce threats to the Lake."

Council's spokesperson said the Lake Illawarra committee's role is "a strategic one and, as such, do not prepare submissions for consultations such as that currently being run by the NSW Government on the Warrawong Parklands master plan".

Exciting vision for the future

The key features of the master plan include:

• Nearly 10km of new pedestrian and cycle pathways to improve accessibility;
• Enhancing Lake Illawarra access with a new water sports hub and lake steps for easier interaction with the water;
• A proposed Olympic standard skate park, upgraded sports field, new play areas for children, and nature play zones for families;
• An expansive 320-metre-long wetland boardwalk providing scenic views and bridging sports facilities to the new skate park;
• New spaces for cultural gatherings, outdoor performances, and dining with water views; and
• A strong focus on environmental restoration, including the planting of native plants and new trees, plus enhanced wetlands, birdwatching areas, and walking trails.

No shortage of great ideas

At last weekend's Warrawong community consultation pop-up, a range of suggestions were presented to the planning officers, including the introduction of paddle boats as a passive form of recreation.

Other ideas included: no motorboats or jet skis in the area, a fenced dog park, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, some affordable accommodation on site, and improved transport links. One local living just outside the study area asked why Windang wasn't included in the master plan.

Anthony Petre told The Illawarra Flame some locals were asking why the process was taking so long. He offered assurance to someone worried about a lack of parking, saying that it was expected there would be about twice as much parking incorporated into the plan compared to what's currently available.

He said that, following the current consultation period, all the feedback and new ideas would be collated and used to help inform a more detailed design and the creation of a business case, which would be presented to government for future budget considerations.

Concern over the 'missing' rowing centre

Lake users, who currently operate out of the Illawarra Rowing Centre, expressed their concern that their long-term existing site appeared to have been replaced by an Illawarra Yacht Club Sailing Centre.

"We're not in the plan at all," said Gabrielle Frawley from the Illawarra Canoe Club, which is based at the Rowing Centre. Gabrielle said there was "a complete lack of awareness of existing clubs using the site. We're surprised and believe we should have been consulted earlier".

Illawarra dragon boater Catherine Holland said she was pleased their concerns appeared to have been heard by staff at the markets.

"We've suggested they should come down and meet with us at our home base, so they can see exactly where we are," Catherine said.

The canoe club, outriggers and dragon boaters have "harmoniously" shared the same facility for the past 20 years.

"We're pleased they've said they'll stay in contact with us. They've accepted our feedback and promised to keep us updated as things progress," Catherine said.

"We think the pontoons included in the plans are great and we need access to a ramp to be able to get on to the lake."

Work expected to start this summer

The master plan will be delivered in three stages, with the first work expected to start this summer on repairs to the sea wall and promenade over 500 metres of the eastern lake edge to the parklands. These works will improve safety and amenity while also creating new habitat areas and opportunities to access Lake Illawarra.

Once the master plan has been completed, the NSW Government will develop a business case to enable the project to be considered for funding.

With consultation closing on Wednesday, the public is encouraged to make submissions via planning.nsw.gov.au/warrawong-parklands