October's NF1 report

Vale – Pauline Lacelles-Smith

Pauline was convener of NF1 for many years – she guided NF1 during 7d rezoning issues and was very active representing the area to Wollongong Council and State Members. NF1 expresses deepest sympathy to Glenn, Mark and Tammy. Lord Mayor Cr Gordon Bradbery also expressed his condolences. [Tributes flowed for Pauline – read more here.]

Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan

More residents, more freight and more electric vehicles – how will we cope? Read the TfNSW notice at https://future.transport.nsw.gov.au/plans/illawarra-shoalhaven-regional-transport-plan

New Community Centre and Library

On September 8, Council bought the two blocks of land (and old house) between the existing library and Helensburgh Butchers at auction.

This may not be the site of the new Community Centre and Library as Council is still doing due diligence on other locations. Building at the Walker St site would have to meet higher design standards after the 2019/20 bush fires, which would cost more. Another site may be more suitable. Council’s purchase of the Walker St blocks is a strategic buy – if that site is not used, the combination of those blocks and the current library block gives a larger block with potential for a park and protection from over development in the town centre.

To quote the Lord Mayor: “Any future Library and Community Centre would also need to be located for ease of access and refuge in case of emergencies, especially bushfires and any post disaster recovery. Helensburgh has unique constraints and all sites need to be taken into consideration, both public and private land opportunities.”

Helensburgh Town Centre

Work is progressing slowly on the western side of Walker St. We are waiting on design details of the roundabout for Walker and Lilyvale streets. The CBD is listed for a 30km/h speed zone once the Town Centre Plan work is done in about a year’s time. In the next few months, NF1 will be asking for input into what timed parking zones will be in the CBD and any parking issues possibly caused.

Coles Group DA for Liquor Premises

Packaged liquor licence application with ILGA was still under assessment at time of writing. DA-2021/822 by Coles was “Awaiting Information” with “Referral to SCAT” (Safer Community Action Team) being the outstanding item. We await determination or referral to Wollongong Independent Planning Panel for the next round.

Community Notice: ‘Friends of Hillcrest’ wanted

If you have any information or were part of the “Friends of Hillcrest” group in the 1990s and 2000s, please contact Barbara Knox (phone 8197 9304 or email barbara.knox@sydney.upa.org.au). Hillcrest management are researching and writing a book about Hillcrest and would love any information, photos, etc about the site.