By Neighbourhood Forum 1 (NF1) convenor Warwick Erwin
NF1 has submitted an objection to a Development Application for a 7km drinking water pipeline from a Helensburgh reservoir to Illawarra Country Club at 190 Princes Highway, Maddens Plains.
The owner of 190 Princes Hwy – where a golf course is currently located – submitted a DA to Wollongong City Council for a potable water pipeline last year (DA-2024/461) and this has been re-notified due to its change to an Integrated Application (meaning it requires approval from another body, such as Water NSW, Transport for NSW, or National Parks and Wildlife Service).
As part of the $2.1 million pipeline development, a pumping station would start at Helensburgh’s reservoir, which is owned by Sydney Water, documents associated with the DA show.
Twenty years ago, a controversial application was made at the same site. In 2005, a DA was rejected for 127 villas, 100 serviced apartments, 100 hotel rooms, a 200-seat conference centre, along with a golf clubhouse, gymnasium and sports facilities. This was followed by an approval in 2009 by then Minister of Planning Kristina Keneally for the resort (sunset 3 years later) under the NSW Government’s controversial Part 3A planning system, which allowed the minister to approve developments with or without consent of government agencies, including fire authorities.
Today NF1 found no support for future development at Maddens Plains in a search of current DAs, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan, Wollongong’s Local Environmental Plan or zoning maps. The Government’s Regional Plan shows Maddens Plains is designated as being of high environmental value, within a Biodiversity Corridor and next to a C1-zoned National Park.
NF1 is concerned that approval of a water pipe could be used to justify a residential development. If the application is approved, modifications to that DA for further infrastructure – such as a sewage line and communications cable – could be submitted without notification to the community.
The planning process in NSW is for the residential development to be approved, then the infrastructure.
An NF1 member with experience in planning said the pipeline could contradict “this major planning policy” and possibly lead to a “greenfield urban development of 600 homes in a known high-risk bushfire prone area”.
Helensburgh Swimming Pool Reshell Project
To avoid impacting on the swimming season, NF1 requested the project be delayed until the pool closes for winter 2026 and the project be completed in that closure, for reopening in October 2027.
Helensburgh Community Centre and Library
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Wollongong Council 25/26 Budget
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About Neighbourhood Forum 1 (2508 area)
Neighbourhood Forums are independent forums of residents, supported by Wollongong City Council. NF1 meetings will be held in the Helensburgh Community Rooms in front of the old Community Centre on the second Wednesday of the Month (Feb – Nov). NF1 Convenor is Warwick Erwin; Co-Convenor is Amy Malloy. Next meeting: 7pm, 9 July 2025 at Helensburgh Community Rooms