An artist’s impression of the new Smith Street development, about 17 per cent of which will be designated as affordable housing for at least 15 years. Photo: NSW Government.
A new mixed-use development earmarked for a vacant site in central Wollongong has become the first outside Greater Sydney to be approved under the Minns Government’s Infill Affordable Housing Bonus program.
The near-$70 million development located at 106 and 120–122 Smith Street and 3A Charlotte Street – walking distance to public transport, schools and other essential services – will include two 10-storey residential towers above a shared podium, featuring 145 new apartments including 25 designated as affordable housing, ground-floor retail and commercial space and parking for 185 vehicles.
The Department of Planning and Environment reviewed the Wollongong application in consultation with Wollongong City Council and relevant stakeholders. Three public submissions were received during the exhibition period, with issues such as flood risk and road access addressed through conditions of consent.
Wollongong City Council Lord Mayor Tania Brown said she was pleased to see something come through the planning pathway.
“This is actually a really good location for key worker housing and we talk a lot about affordable housing but that’s who it is for. It’s about keeping those prices right so workers can afford to live near education, the health precinct and the CBD,” she said.
“Council’s feedback in terms of transport was also taken into consideration … We look forward to seeing something come out of the ground.”
The development has been approved as a state significant development (SSD) and is expected to support 305 construction jobs and 30 ongoing roles once the retail spaces are operational.
The affordable housing component will be managed by community housing provider Evolve Housing and will remain available to eligible low- and moderate-income households for at least 15 years, in line with state policy requirements.
Business Illawarra director Coralie McCarthy said the move was exciting news for key workers who had long struggled with the housing crisis in the region.
“In 2023 Business Illawarra launched the Solutions to the affordable housing crisis in the Illawarra Shoalhaven, which identified streamlined planning pathways as critical for progress,” she said.
“This significant investment created through streamlined pathways brings confidence that change is happening in Wollongong and the region, and it’s exciting.”
The Infill Affordable Housing Bonus, introduced in late 2023, allows residential projects to apply for up to a 30 per cent increase in building height or floor space if they allocate at least 10 per cent of dwellings to affordable housing for a minimum of 15 years.
The development will be delivered by the Smith Street Development Partnership with input from consulting firm Ethos Urban (now a Colliers company).
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said the development responded to the local need for a greater mix of housing options.
“The need for affordable housing close to transport, jobs and amenities is not just something that needs to be delivered in Sydney; cities like Wollongong need this diversity of housing stock, too,” he said.
“This will help health workers, teachers and other front-line workers or low- to medium-income families be able to work closer to home in a modern, purpose-built development with excellent new amenities.
“The Infill Affordable Housing Bonus scheme is generating strong interest with proposals for thousands of new homes being considered across the state.
