By Neighbourhood Forum 1 convenor Warwick Erwin
2022 UCI Road World Championships
Wollongong will be impacted from 18-25 Sept with preparations impacting areas from late August.
Key dates for 2508 and 2515 residents:
Sat 24 Sept - Helensburgh to Bulli, 11am to 2pm
Sun 25 Sept - Helensburgh to Bulli, 8.45am to noon
Roads impacted
Parkes St – Park Ave to Hume Drive
Waratah St – full street closure
Walker St – All of Walker St from Robertson to Lawrence Hargrave Drive
Lawrence Hargrave Drive – all – from Stanwell Tops (virtual Symbio) to Thirroul
Lawrence Hargrave Drive will be open Sunday 18 to Friday 23 September but there maybe impacts due to preparations for the major races on the following weekend.
Wollongong2022 have informed that:
Traffic management will be in place and allow local residents vehicle access to their properties.
Emergency services will have priority access to all areas of the city at all times.
It was noted at the meeting that no residents present from Helensburgh, Stanwell Tops. Stanwell Park or Otford had received the first letterbox drop of information that it was claimed had occurred.
Town Centre Plan - Short St Blister
A trial period of 6 to 8 weeks is to be implemented for a removable blister on the southern corner of Short St at Walker St, Helensburgh. Visual records will be collected. This is to look at the traffic impacts to vehicles moving out of Short St via a single lane to turn right or left in to Walker St and traffic into Short St, particularly Coles trucks.
Draft Helensburgh Park Crown Reserves Plan of Management – War Memorial Pool
The draft plan proposes the addition of the two reserves to the existing Community land. This means all the playing fields known as Charles Harper Park and the Rex Jackson Park Sporting Facilities would be rezoned as Community Land. This will enable some State-owned land to be used for a construction site for the new Community Centre next to the existing Swimming Pool.
A question was asked as to why all the fields need to be so reclassified and the answer appeared to be it is easier to transfer the whole parcel rather than subdivide and then reclassify.
The Helensburgh pool construction was funded by the community and mine. It was consecrated as a War Memorial pool in 1969 and remains a War Memorial on the National War Memorial list.
We are waiting for Wollongong City Council to receive a response from NSW Planning and the Planning Minister before putting the draft Plan of Management on public exhibition for 42 days.
Lot 2 Short Lane Helensburgh – APPROVED
Council refused the DA but the applicant has won the judge’s favour in his appeal to the Land and Environment court in his appeal. Council will now have to work with the developer to minimise impacts on neighbouring premises. An example of developers winning out over the community.
Alcohol Free Zones Review
AFZs are in the suburbs of Helensburgh, Thirroul and other areas of Wollongong. Council is considering the re-establishment of all Alcohol Free Zones (AFZs), and is seeking feedback (see diagrams above). AFZs aim to improve safety and prevent disorderly behaviour. They apply to road-related public areas including footpaths, roads and car parks and hold a four-year term. Council facilitates the engagement process, review and sign installation; NSW Police Officers enforce the zone.
Bush Fire Management and Mapping
Council resolved on 27 June 2022 to exhibit the draft Chapter E16 Bush fire Management of the Wollongong Development Control Plan (WDCP) 2009 and updated Bush Fire Prone Land Mapping.
The chapter outlines requirements for development within bushfire-prone land. Chapter E16 has been reviewed and updated.
Corrimal Coke Works
The Corrimal Coke Works Draft Planning Proposal and package of information was on exhibition until 25 August 2022. It contains a compromise from the developer for less medium-density residential. There are great concerns over traffic congestion, given there is only one road exit for the 500-odd residents onto Railway Street close to the railway station where regular hold-ups can occur due to the level crossing. The road is already extremely busy at peak times.
Councillors are aware and concerned about the future traffic chaos being proposed but the ability of Council to properly regulate the development is limited due to the NSW Government State Planning strategies and the statewide system.
Developers go to the Land and Environment Court with adverse Council outcomes.
Concern was raised over the inadequacy of the system of planning that Council is working with and the need for better State Government assistance.
Wooden coal skips in Charles Harper Park
Concern was again raised over the inadequate protection of skips in Charles Harper Park next to Parkes Street. It was pointed out that timber structures decay quickly and, like the now-decrepit carriages at the Black Diamond Railway Museum, these heritage items are out in all weather and an awning would be a first step in their preservation.
Helensburgh Cemetery
Greg Doyle, WCC General Manager, has advised the cemetery will see improvements by October. No date yet for restoring the portico as it needs input from Heritage NSW. Concern was raised over the lack of a toilet and the condition of the graves.
Otford Railway Weir
Council has agreed to maintain the weir. Council is pursuing the ownership of the land near the weir as it may be either Crown land or Transport of NSW.
Next NF1 meeting: Wednesday, 14 September.
Visit council's website for more info.
