Have your say on the future of community land in Wollongong

From parks and sportsgrounds to community centres and natural areas - Council takes care of land across the Wollongong Local Government Area on behalf of those who live here. These types of areas are called Community Land.

Some of the Community Land we manage is owned by Council and some of the Community Land we manage is Crown Land owned by the NSW Government.

Currently, most of the Council-owned Community Land is managed through the 2018 Generic Plan of Management. This year, we’ve reviewed and prepared a new document — the draft Community Land Plan of Management 2021 — that will now apply to even more Council-owned Community Land.

Now, we’re sharing this draft document with our community and we’re seeking feedback via the Our Wollongong website.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said it was important community members take the opportunity to provide feedback on how Council manages Community Land, such as local parks and reserves, near where they live.

“A Plan of Management is a document that provides Council with direction for the planning, resource management, maintenance, operation and programming of Community Land. In other words, how to manage our Community Land to a higher level within our financial constraints,” Cr Bradbery said.

“This draft Plan of Management provides more detail than previous versions.  We’ve taken a substantive review of the previous Generic Plan of Management and created a draft document that clearly shows how Council manages Community Land.

“One of the key differences is that this draft document provides greater direction for 30 areas that are categorised as culturally significant Community Land. This is the first time these 30 areas have been placed under a Plan of Management.”

Some Community Land that has cultural significance to the area — Aboriginal, archaeological, historical, technical, research or social significance — are categorised as ‘Area of Cultural Significance’.

Council is required to provide additional information on land that is categorised as an Area of Cultural Significance. This information includes the condition of the land, any improvements on the land, and the scale and intensity of future uses and development so that the significance of the land can be protected.

In the draft Community Land Plan of Management 2021 we’ve provided more information for 30 areas of land that are Areas of Cultural Significance.

“The review of the draft Plan allows us to be more transparent in how Council manages Community Land and gives us an opportunity to report back to the community,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Some of the land that has now been given more detailed information includes a section of land at the Coomaditchie Lagoon, Berkeley Cemetery, Illawarra Historical Society Museum and MacCabe Park.”

For the full list of site-specific schedules, visit the Our Wollongong website.

As well, the draft 2021 Community Land Plan of Management also includes information for 26 new community land parcels acquired by Council since 2018.

For the full list of new Community Land parcels, visit the Our Wollongong website.

“There’s a lot of information for our community to consider in the draft Community Land Plan of Management 2021,” Cr Bradbery said.

“We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to provide feedback on this document and that’s why it will be on public exhibition for 60 days instead of the legislated 42 days.

“Your feedback is important so make sure you have a look and stay informed. Community feedback will help us determine the final version of this plan so that we can continue to manage Community Land as efficiently and sustainably as possible.”

The Community Land Plan of Management 2021 will be on exhibition on Council’s Engagement website, Our Wollongong for 60 days from Friday 14 May to Monday 12 July.

You can also view a physical copy at your local Library. For Library locations and hours, visit the Wollongong City Libraries website.

Detailed maps showing the Community Land in each suburb is available on Council’s website.