Moving forward on our plan for Wollongong

Thank you to our community for sharing your thoughts on Wollongong City Council’s programs, plans, and projects over the next year. Following consideration of your input, the Delivery Program 2022-2026 and Operational Plan 2024-2025 (DPOP) was adopted at Monday night’s Council meeting.

The DPOP was exhibited in April and May 2024 and includes the following:

• Budget 2024-2025
• Infrastructure Delivery Program 2024-2025 to 2027-2028
• Revenue Policy, Rates, Annual Charges and Fees 2024-2025.

This document outlines what we’re planning to deliver over the next financial year and in the years’ ahead. You can read more in the Council Business paper.

“We appreciate everyone who took the time to tell us their thoughts on the Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Our community’s input is invaluable to making our city a better place to live, work and play,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“We received a range of feedback like requests for new footpaths, active transport, sport facility and playground upgrades and improved street drainage. We’ve considered these comments and were able to make changes in the final report.

“All up, there are 362 projects for work in the Infrastructure Delivery program, with 194 of these set for construction. This is on top of our day-to-day maintenance of our much-loved assets like our pools, parks, cycleways, and playgrounds as well as the operation of our libraries, community facilities, Botanic Garden – just to name a few much-loved services Council offers.”

Highlights from the adopted DPOP include:

• The waiver extension to Outdoor Dining will remain in place until 30 June 2025.
• Designing the Darkes Sporting and Community Hub (Stages 1 and 2) – Stage 1 is funded for construction under the Commonwealth Government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program.
• Identified and introduced 11 new projects to repair infrastructure damaged during the April and June storm events.
• The introduction of $13.6M funding from the Commonwealth Government's Roads to Recovery to invest in the maintenance of Council's road assets across 2024-2025 to 2028-2029.

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said the updated document provides a roadmap for the year ahead on key strategic priorities.

“I’m pleased with the adoption of the latest Delivery Program and Operational Plan, that allows us to continue our work towards meeting our community’s vision and goals within the Community Strategic Plan,” Mr Doyle said.

“As we keep moving forward, I’d like to take the opportunity to reflect on some of the projects we’ve completed or made progress on in the last financial year. The big-ticket projects include the Old Court House roof replacement, Bellambi Boat Ramp Amenities, the ongoing improvements to the Beaton Park Tennis Complex, Hill 60 viewing platform and planning for the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library at Warrawong.

“This is only a small snapshot of what we’ve been focussed on, and we look forward to building on this progress, in what we anticipate as another busy year ahead.

“With the new plan set for the next 12 months, we can continue to build on the liveability of our city, carry out infrastructure works and improvements, and provide quality services every day that support community connections.”

The documents will be available on our Delivery Program and Operational Plan page.