Council Endorses Eco Plan

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday August 7, 2007

By MARIO CHRISTODOULOU

AFTER 20 years of lobbying, protests and scientific studies, Wollongong City Council has finally endorsed measures aimed at preserving the escarpment from development.

The plan, which will now be put to the public, will put a stop to land clearing on the escarpment and force developers to use existing vacant land for proposals which must also conform to strict environmental controls.

The new plan also introduces staggered densities across the escarpment with some possibility for limited low density housing in certain areas.

The escarpment has been recognised as of major ecological significance and is subject to strict development controls.

Community groups have lobbied for development restrictions and so far Wollongong City Council has spent more than $650,000 on reports and studies into the issue.

However, in among swathes of land set aside for environmental protection, the council has earmarked a handful of areas as having opportunity for development.

On June 30, councillors toured the areas, including the 400ha Huntley mine redevelopment site, which was to have a golf course, 700 dwellings and funicular railway.

The proposal was rejected by the NSW Department of Planning and is now being renegotiated.

Another site - a 1.1ha horse paddock - will possibly be set aside to eventually accommodate 20 "ecohouses" on the Edgewood Estate in Woonona.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home