Democracy means everyone has the power to take part in decision-making and that’s not limited to elections. Here’s how you can have your say on local matters, in a way that matters.
Rules for coal mines
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is running a public consultation on their regulation of coal mines. Community feedback will complement the statutory five yearly reviews of coal mine licences (most in NSW are due for review this year). The statewide consultation includes nearly 60 NSW coal mines, including those in Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong. Coal mines are regulated through the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, and through the Environment Protection Licence (EPLs) for each site. Climate change is an important consideration for the EPA; EPLs will be proactively updated to minimise emissions and exposure to climate risks, in alignment with the EPA’s Climate Change Policy and Action Plan 2023-26.
Maryanne Stuart MP, Member for Heathcote, is encouraging the community to send feedback, saying “Coal mining has a place in NSW history, supporting thousands of local jobs, but it is essential that the community has a voice on the monitoring, reporting and licence conditions of mines; ensuring our environment is protected.”
- When: Consultation from 21 August to 2 October 2024.
- How: Via the EPA’s website.
Safer access around Train Stations
This project is part of Transport for NSWs Transport Integration and Placemaking program to improve access around selected train stations across Wollongong. The funding will be used for various works such as:
crossing safety upgrades at Austinmer, Corrimal, and Helensburgh,
new and upgraded footpaths and cycleways at Coniston, Corrimal, Helensburgh, Stanwell Park, and Thirroul
improved lighting at Bulli, Coniston, Stanwell Park, and Thirroul.
- When: August 28 to September 18, 2024
- How: Go to Our Wollongong, pick a suburb and send feedback.
Helensburgh Community Rooms - Fees and Charges
While Helensburgh's new Community Centre and Library is being built (construction is only set to start in autumn 2027, read more in our report), Wollongong City Council will reopen the front section of the old Walker St community centre for meetings. Mould in the so-called Youth Centre has proven fixable (unlike in the rest of the building).
There will be two meeting rooms, an office, accessible bathrooms and a kitchenette available for the community to hire for bookings after 1 January 2025. Bookings for 2025 can be made after 1 November 2024 by contacting the Community Facilities team at Thirroul on (02) 4227 8181 or emailing: thirroulcc@wollongong.nsw.gov.au(External link)
Fees start at $3 per hour for not for profits, up to $26 for functions.
Responses received on the proposed fees will be presented to Council for their consideration prior to adoption of the fees.
- When: Consultation from 26 August until 23 September 2024
- How: Visit the Our Wollongong website.
Options for Helensburgh Cemetery Entrance
The cemetery’s vehicle entrance portico was damaged in 2021 by an oversized vehicle, making it unusable. It has since been fenced off. Wollongong City Council is calling for feedback on two options:
Option A: Remove/demolish the portico entirely (the cheapest option at $235,000)
Option B: Repair the existing portico and construct new access road
In July 2024, Helensburgh and District Historical Society wrote to council about this "neglected and unsightly" area.
"Helensburgh & District Historical Society does not believe the portico is of historical/heritage significance," society president Jim Powell wrote. "To the best of our knowledge, we believe it was built in the 1960s.
"The current state of the entrance to the cemetery is an embarrassment to our community and to Wollongong Council."
- When: Feedback by Monday 16 September 2024.
- How: Visit the Our Wollongong website.
Have your say in REZ inquiry
The NSW government has established an inquiry to report on the impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) on rural and regional communities and industries across the state. The closing date for submissions is 31 January 2025. Click here to have your say.
Take a Business Survey
The results of this survey will be compared with Council’s previous business survey in 2022 and will help Council to further understand how businesses operate, update on current business conditions and inform our forthcoming review of the Economic Development Strategy. As of June 2023, there were more than 15,400 actively trading businesses in Wollongong LGA.
- When: By 5pm on Monday 16 September 2024.
- How: Via Our Wollongong.
WCC's Revised Privacy Management Plan
Council last updated and adopted its Privacy Management Plan in 2021 and the Plan has been reviewed and updated.
- When: By 25 September 2024.
- How: Go to Our Wollongong.
Opportunity brewing in Shellharbour
Shellharbour City Council is seeking an experienced café operator/s to manage up to two café locations within the Shellharbour area. Council wants to hear from qualified operators who can bring their expertise and passion for hospitality to either the Civic Square Café in Shellharbour City Centre and/or the Shellharbour Airport Café. One operator for both cafes is preferred, however, individual proposals for each cafe will be considered.
- When: By 10am Tuesday 17 September.
- How: Visit Shellharbour City Council's Expressions of Interest page.
Council Elections
Local government elections will be held on Saturday, September 14.
- 7 Sept – Pre-poll voting opens
- 9 Sept – 5pm, postal vote applications close
- 13 Sept – Pre-poll voting period closes
- 14 Sept – 8am-6pm Election day
For more information and to find your nearest polling station at elections.nsw.gov.au
Meet Wollongong's mayoral candidates
Tania Brown – Labor
Jess Whittaker – Greens
Andrew Anthony – Independent
Suzanne de Vive – Independent
Ryan Morris – Independent
Meet Shellharbour's mayoral candidates
Paul Rankin – Independent
Rob Petreski – Labor
