Bellambi could transform into a higher-density suburb with more shops and amenities over the next 20 years, if a NSW Government proposal goes ahead. Photo: NSW Government.
Thousands more people could call Bellambi home if a NSW Government proposal goes ahead – but not everyone is happy about it.
In June 2024, Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson announced that Bellambi Estate had been identified for renewal.
The proposal now on exhibition would change the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009 to allow the land to be redeveloped for between 2000 and 2500 dwellings of two- to six-storeys over a period of 20 years, up from the 500-odd dwellings currently there.
The new homes would be a mix of social, affordable and private, including an additional 150 social housing homes.
The proposal also suggests rezoning land near Bellambi Pool to facilitate local shops, services and a plaza.
It also proposes an increase in building height limits from 9 m to between 13 and 22 m and a reduction in minimum lot size from 449 sqm to 200 sqm.
Greens councillors believe this won’t go far enough to alleviate pressure on the public housing system.
Councillor Kit Docker said if more of the new dwellings were dedicated social housing it could make a significant dent in the thousands-strong waitlist.
“The opportunity here is to increase density and housing supply for those who need it the most,” he said.
“This proposal prioritises the overall yield without matching that ambition in social, public and affordable housing.
“It falls far short of its potential.”
Labor councillors, however, argued that Bellambi Estate was an example of a failed public housing model that created ghettoes.
Councillor Linda Campbell said a more even mix of public, social and affordable housing would create a better environment for everyone.
“I grew up in public housing in Berkeley and then Koonawarra,” she said.
“What made life so difficult for anyone living there was everyone was in the same boat.
“Socially that does not help people growing up in those areas.
“After years of getting it wrong and creating slums the State Government is going to do better.
“You need to have a salt-and-pepper approach so you allow everyone to lift each other up.”
The proposal area is 26 hectares of the northern part of Bellambi Estate north of Rothery Street and Bott Drive which currently contains 171 lots.
Homes NSW owns 138 of those lots; seven are owned by the Aboriginal Housing Office, two are owned by Wollongong City Council and 24 are privately owned.
There are 465 homes located on the 138 properties owned by Homes NSW, a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, villas and town houses.
The land south of Rothery Street is not part of the planning proposal and no change to the planning controls are proposed.
The council endorsed a submission to broadly support the proposal, with the caveat the State Government increases the proportion of affordable housing in the development to 10 per cent, and commits to providing accompanying infrastructure improvements.
These would include community, open space and recreational infrastructure, as well as support for active and public transport to mitigate the increased demand on local roads.
Cr Docker was the only councillor to vote against the endorsement.
Meanwhile, a protest against the proposal is planned for Saturday 28 April.
NSW Socialists have organised the rally to be held from noon at Bellambi Beach.
They say the proposal will gut public housing in the area and hand coastal public land to private developers.
Organiser Luke Hocking demanded the new development be 100 per cent public housing.
“Working class people don’t deserve to be driven from homes they’ve lived in for decades just because the land they live on has caught the eye of billionaire property developers,” he said.
“Existing tenants are worried about what this proposal means for their future. Some residents have lived in these homes for decades, and do not want to have their lives uprooted so that private developers can build luxury apartments and a shopping centre.
“Knocking down the public housing in Bellambi and handing the land over to these developers is not a plan to fight the housing crisis – it is a plan to steal from the poor and give to the rich.
“We want everyone who opposes this to come out to the rally on Saturday and have their voices heard.”
To view the proposal, follow this link.
To keep up with developments, including community consultation, from the NSW Government, go here.
Please note, the time for submissions on the proposal has closed – it is understood Wollongong City Council worked with the State Government to accept a late submission.
