John Street Shellharbour could be home to 56 new flats if a proposal accepted into the NSW Government’s state significant development pathway is approved. Photo: Google.
A development proposal for 56 residential apartments in Shellharbour, originally knocked back by the council, has been accepted into the state significant development pipeline.
The proposed site, at 2 and 4 John Street, Shellharbour, is set just back from the water and is currently home to a single-storey dwelling and a two-storey dwelling.
The surrounding streets are predominantly made up of single- and double-storey dwellings, with a few blocks subdivided into small townhouse complexes.
A Shellharbour City Council spokesperson said an application to construct a multistorey apartment building had previously been submitted through the local government development pathway for the site.
“Council had previously considered a development applications for a three-storey residential flat building on the site, which was ultimately determined by way of refusal,” the spokesperson said.
After the knockback, the developer Kalokerinos Family Trust submitted an expression of interest for the proposal to be considered under the NSW Government’s Housing Development Authority (HDA) state significant development pathway.
The HDA offers a fast-tracked planning pathway for large residential and mixed-use developments. They are also eligible for height increases, if a sufficient proportion is allocated to affordable housing.
The NSW Government has accepted the John Street development proposal into the state significant development pathway.
The next step is for the developer to submit a more detailed development application, which will be considered by the Housing Development Authority and relevant government bodies such as Shellharbour City Council.
It will also be put out for public consultation.
Pending approval, the apartments will likely be completed by July 2029 to help fulfil the NSW Government’s target to deliver 377,000 new homes under the National Housing Accord.
The proposal was accepted at the same time as two other proposals for state significant housing developments in the Wollongong area, including more than 500 apartments planned for The Works at Corrimal and more than 400 apartments on the corner block of 359 – 363 Crown Street and 2 – 4 Gladstone Avenue in Wollongong (former Red Rooster site).
Level 33’s application for a 19-storey shop-top housing build was approved by the Southern Regional Planning Panel in late 2024 after it was initially rejected by Wollongong City Council.
