Have your say on Wollongong Foreshore plan

Wollongong City Council is keen to hear community feedback on the draft plan guiding approaches to community use of some of our city’s most iconic locations.

The draft Wollongong City Foreshore Plan of Management (PoM) covers 10 Council-managed Crown Reserves and six Council-owned community land areas from Stuart Park in the north to Coniston Beach in the south.

It includes some of Wollongong’s most popular spots, such as Stuart Park, North Beach, Flagstaff Hill, Belmore Basin, City Beach, Battery Park, Lang Park, Osborne Park, and Andrew Lysaght Rest Park.

This draft PoM continues Council’s management of the foreshore as the world-renowned ‘Blue Mile’ of Wollongong, a diverse recreational, social, and cultural hub for the city, and the scene of events like the thrilling UCI World Championships in 2022 that showcased Wollongong to the world. The same foreshore is set to host the World Triathlon Championship Finals this coming October.

The Blue Mile was enabled by the existing 2008 Plan of Management that generated extensive transformative investment over more than a decade.

The draft PoM is proposing to replace the 2008 PoM - prepared under the former Crown Lands Act (1989) - to ensure Council’s management of the foreshore continues to meet both present and future needs of the community and the requirements of the Crown Land Management Act (2016) and Local Government Act (1993), which set rules for the use of community land.

The draft PoM outlines permissible uses and developments consistent with the reserve purpose(s) and community land category and enables consideration of leasing and licencing related to these permissible uses and developments.

While the draft PoM allows for consideration of use of community land, it does not propose or commit Council to any development or investment. Other processes of Council are in place to consider specific decisions that relate to the future development or use of the reserves in accordance with Council’s Community Strategic Plan, supporting documents, policies, and applicable legislation regulating the use of land.

The draft PoM is currently on exhibition, with community members invited to chat to our engagement team at a pop-up information stand at the Crown Street Markets on 31 January from 9am-12pm.

There will also be a public information session held at Council’s Administration building in Burrelli Street on 13 February where residents can hear from and speak to an independent chairperson. The exhibition period closes on 26 February.

Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown urged people to get out and have their say on the future of one of Wollongong’s most distinctive precincts.

“Our foreshore is as spectacularly beautiful as you’ll find anywhere in the world,” Cr Brown said.

“The beauty of it lies in the fact that it is public land for all community members to enjoy. Whether it’s taking a walk around the beaches and harbour, a beachside barbecue with family and friends, or throwing down a blanket to enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks, it offers residents and visitors a memorable experience every time.

“As it becomes ever more popular, it is important this precinct is managed and maintained in way that preserves its natural character, while also ensuring it can be used and enjoyed by as many people as possible.

“It’s vital that this is done holistically with a view to the entire precinct, how it is presently utilised and enjoyed, and how it can meet the future needs of our community in the long term.

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