“Parts of the street could do with a bit of love” – could Port Kembla’s historic Wentworth Street become a heritage conservation area? Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
New heritage listings have been proposed from Helensburgh to Port Kembla.
The recommendations include a call for Wentworth Street in Port Kembla to be listed as a heritage conservation area, recognised and valued for its historic and aesthetic character.
They’re part of a planning proposal that would amend the Wollongong Local Environment Plan and implement a range of actions from the Wollongong Retail and Business Centres Strategy and the Wollongong Industrial Lands Review.
It’s suggested Wentworth Street be identified as a heritage area due to its history as the first commercial street established as part of the subdivision of the Five Islands Estate in 1909.
Previous economic downturn has resulted in Edwardian, Victorian, inter-war, post-war and art deco style buildings preserved side by side, and the street itself provides magnificent views from high points at the northern and southern ends.
It’s anticipated the proposal to formally preserve the street will meet with a mixed response, however.
Wollongong City Councillor Ann Martin said the street was an eccentric agglomeration of architectural styles, and its unique character was valuable.
“We need to have a conversation about what character exists and how we can work with that,” she said.
“There are parts of the street that could do with a bit of love, and I don’t want my community to be stressed.
“It is really important all those who live, rent or own buildings around Wentworth Street be part of this conversation.”
Not all councillors were equally supportive of heritage measures, however.
Councillor Dan Hayes said he believed more discerning choices needed to be made about which buildings qualified as part of the region’s heritage and which did not.
Councillor Ryan Morris is on the heritage committee, and said he felt even listed buildings could have exemptions made.
“I enjoy seeing heritage wherever I drive, the frontages are great,” he said.
“The blanket coverage of entire buildings is a different matter.
“For example the Coledale RSL listed in this document, the interior has been redefined over many decades.
“We have to look at real need rather than covering an entire area.”
Other buildings proposed for heritage listings include the St John Vianney Cathedral at Fairy Meadow, sandstone kerb and guttering in Helensburgh, two homes on Auburn Street in Wollongong, and the Woonona-Bulli Fire Station.
The planning proposal doesn’t just include heritage listings.
It includes recommendations for rezonings that could dramatically reshape some of the region’s town and village centres.
Councillor Kit Docker said he thought the recommendations for Figtree had the potential to make it a more walkable, pedestrian-friendly suburb.
“Figtree Grove is a very old-style mall; the carpark dominates the area,” he said.
“By building shopfronts out to the edges there is the potential to make the area feel more lively and more inviting.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to include access to Figtree Park, too.”
Wollongong City councillors voted unanimously to put the planning proposal out for public exhibition for a minimum period of 28 days.
To take a look at the proposed document ahead of the public exhibition period, go here.
