I regard the project as unacceptable in its current form. I acknowledge the need for additional housing in the central Wollongong area, but this must be accompanied by:
- appropriate environmental offsets
- community amenity, both for residents of the project space and and for those in the surrounding area
- traffic management measures
- noise and dust abatement procedures during construction
- appropriate consultation with residents of the area

A key disappointment with the current project plan for this site was the omission of the small community green space which was an element of the approved DA for the WIN Grand project. Central Wollongong is severely lacking in green space and mature tree cover and the projected master plan for the nearby MacCabe Park seems far from coming to fruition. In the absence of such a green space it is critical that any approval must be subject to provision of rooftop gardens and perhaps hanging gardens. The steeply sloping site also presents a risk of flooding to surrounding areas during periods of heavy rainfall, which are likely to become more common as a result of climate change. I also note that “wind tunnel” effects are becoming increasingly apparent as high-rise developments grow throughout the central city.

It appears that other elements of community amenity are also lacking in the current proposal. Once again, the WIN Grand project approval included provision for a public swimming pool and a cinema complex. These facilities are sorely lacking in the city centre. Their omission from the current proposal appears to indicate an intention by the developer to maximise profit at the expense of the lifestyle of Wollongong’s residents.

Any resident who needs to use Burelli street between Atchison and Kiera streets will know that it already represents a major choke point. Traffic arrangements in the city centre also mean that emergency vehicles from the Wollongong Hospital and the fire station are constantly routed through this block for work at the eastern edge of the city. A combination of the new bus layover area and construction work on Atchison street mean that a possible alternative route would also be impractical in the event of a critical emergency. It is imperative that emergency vehicles be allowed unimpeded access to incidents in this area.

All residents of the centre of the city are only too well aware of the noise and dust pollution caused by excavation for the foundations of major housing projects. The impact of a project of the massive size of that which is proposed will inevitably by very disturbing to residents at a distance of several hundred metres. Any approval for the project must include a requirement for state-of-the-art abatement measures.

Finally, it must be stated unequivocally that consultation with residents immediately affected by the proposed project has been entirely inadequate. It was only because of an article in the local press that we were made aware of the nature of the revised DA. It demonstrates contempt for local citizens that they were provided with no information about the project, let alone an opportunity to express their views. It is even worse that Wollongong City Council, which will be left to deal with the inevitable adverse impacts of the project, did not have full details of what has been proposed. I discovered this on a personal visit to the council, where the only information they could provide was the SSD number for the project.

I want to express my disappointment at the lack of information, engagement and consultation in relation to the significant changes to the WIN Grand development. I am of the opinion that for a project of this scale and its significant impact on the city centre much more needed to be done to inform the community. Further I am concerned that the new plans, while bigger, have removed important community amenities including a cinema, pool and community park - we need more green space in our city not less. I believe the plan should be revised to put those community amenities back in the plans. Whilst recognising that the decision is being made at a state level, it is our local Council and its ratepayers who will face the future consequences, including traffic chaos and congestion.
This new development, when combined with the thousands of additional new apartment near the city’s heart, will only worsen the urban heat effect in our city and surrounds. The Grand and other projects will create a nightmare for emergency services trying to access the area, putting lives at risk..
I request that for future SSDs the community, and especially those residents close to the development, be advised, via the Council as a matter of course.

The 26 and 38 storey buildings in this development are too high for Wollongong! New developments like these should not set a precedence for a city skyscraper situation. The beauty of Wollongong is its smaller town coaster feel. Please consider reducing the height of those two buildings. Thank you.

There has been no community consultation - although a SSD - it has recent changes that have caused concern. There will now be NO cinema, NO pool and NO APPROPRIATE GREEN SPACE for the many people who will now be living in the area after this build.
This did not appear on council exhibition notice site and many residents in the area were not notified and not aware of any of this detail surrounding the build and had no opportunity to make known: traffic issues (already a problem in the area) as no road infrastructure appears to be changing, planning for families with children to descend into green spaces close to home. There are grave fears that, in time, these concentrated structures will become "ghettos" with no thoughtful town planning in the need to rush to build to solve one problem - only to create other problems - for others - later.
Further explanation of the concerns of local residents needs to occur.

I own and live in an apartment in the Avante building immediately adjacent to the proposed new development.

I object to the new development on the grounds of its excessive height and density across a whole city block which will have a major impact to my view, and that of many of my fellow residents.

My extensive view of the ocean was the primary reason for purchasing my property and was heavily factored into the price I paid.

It is also highly likely to negatively impact the resale value in the event that I choose to sell. I love my home and am very happy here. Selling my home therefore is a real concern to me but may be my only option if these changes go ahead.

I accept and support that more developments are a key part of Wollongong’s future. However, I don’t accept that it’s necessary to achieve this through a development with such excessive height and such extensive impacts to the immediate neighbours both during the construction and then ongoing. What is being proposed from a height perspective is completely at odds with the standards being applied to other developments in Wollongong City.

I’d like to see some fairness and reasonableness be applied to this development and bring the approved height back in alignment with standards being applied to other apartment developments in Wollongong City.

Thank you for considering my objection.

-Inadequate time of less than 14 working days provided to view exhibited documents given the State significant development application. It is requested that a revised closing date should be 4 weeks from the notification period.
- Traffic information used to plan and design vehicle impact of the proposal is based on outdated information recorded during covid lockdown periods (4.6 Existing Traffic conditions - Years 2020-2022). This data does not take into account several recently completed high-rise residential buildings in the immediate streets adjacent to the proposed development. There should be a masterplan showing all the proposed high-rise residential and commercial buildings, currently under construction and also already approved, as well anticipated known large site developments to better reflect the current and future traffic movements. It is not valid to only consider this particular developments' impact on the existing street and footpath use in isolation of the other buildings currently under construction. The overall impact of all the buildings/developments must be considered for a comprehensive strategic plan of the streets within and surrounding the developments. It would then be clearer as to necessary upgrades or even traffic flow directions necessary to prevent major cumulative impacts and issues arising at common pinch points/intersections for both vehicles, pedestrians as well as bicycles.
-The landscape plans facing Crown St do not indicate how the existing bus stop and associated seats will be incorporated into the proposed redevelopment of the site. Given there is an assumed use of public transport - the increases in user numbers will require adequate space to wait for buses as well as for those alighting from the buses that arrive. Currently there are regular queues beyond the seats available, and shelter is provided by the existing building facades.
- Atchison St. is increasing in traffic volumes as well as number of ingress and egress driveways from multi-storey residential and commercial buildings. It is becoming more difficult to safely exist the driveways due several factors: the speed at which traffic flows from Crown St. and poor visibility of street created by vehicles (especially 4 wheel drives and vans) parking up to kerb of the driveway. With increase in traffic volumes the speed limits must be reviewed to improve safety and review the parking distance to driveway kerbs to deter vehicles parking in line of sight.
- 5.1.3 Commercial retail. It has been indicated that it is "Councils intention on restraining non-residential parking in the development to curb traffic generation in the town center". Given the level of services which will be required by the residents including services including home help to older residents,(which may require parking for 2 hours or more), trades, deliveries of food and medicine,
it is critical that spaces are available as often services are provided by an hourly rate - should it take a large part of an hour to find a parking spot and then get to the destination, an unliveable situation is created.
- The landscape plans at streel level are not clear how disabled access will be provided to access the landscaped grounds/plaza given the site topography - the drawings provided only depict two areas where steps are used to access the different levels.
-There do not appear to be any features for children at the ground level to enjoy the plaza/landscaping. Given the level of residential dwellings and users of the commercial facilities in the development it is reasonable to expect children to be users. It is noted that there is a proposed pool and outdoor gym within the development but it does not appear to be open for general public use.
-The landscape plan LD-DA011 overall site plan does not match LD-DA010 tree management plan - trees along Crown Street - are they proposed not or not? It would be useful if included.
- In the list of plants proposed for the development - it is noted that Agapanthus are listed - given this plant is considered a weed an alternative plant could be selected. Even if a sterile variety or new hybrid is used, it may be giving a mixed message to residents re appropriateness of these plants in gardens.
- There appears to be an extensive area identified for bicycle parking however given the popularity of electric bikes apart from peddle bicycles, it would be reasonable to expect the provision of isolated charging areas that do not create a hazard to the rest of the development. Parking for electric cars and bikes does not appear to be addressed or accommodated. Given the safety issues related to potential fire hazard of equipment.
-9.3.1 Public Notification. It was indicated that only 1-5 Atchison St would be notified - this is totally inadequate as there are many residents in the street that would benefit from the notifications. It is requested that a wider radius be notified. (up to Ellen Street.)
-10.2.1 Existing travel behaviour.- comparing 2016 and 2021 data is irrelevant given this is 2025 and many more residential and commercial buildings have been erected. Should provide information on existing residents travel modes and use of transport - it will then give a better picture of what the residents of high-rise dwellings are doing and targets for proposed developments would be better informed.
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Thanks for the opportunity to comment. Firstly, this project - in some form - is long overdue. So, I welcome that something is finally happening on a prominent part of our city's CBD. I also recognise the importance to created new housing, to meet all needs and budgets across the state and including Wollongong. My concern and objection to this project in its current form is that it provides no community facilities. This will be the biggest urban development project in the history of Wollongong's CBD and as such it is unthinkable that there is not built into the plans some open green space, let's call it a park and a playground, to cater for the many hundreds who choose to live in, or visit the new development. Good town planning is about getting the balance right. We must not use the 'housing crisis' to launch into an approach of development at all costs and ignore the general amenity, and the physical and mental health of the community. While it is very important that everyone has somewhere to live, we need to create communities that are liveable. The developers are reportedly saving $20m with their latest plans for this prime site, can I suggest a good proportion of that should be set aside - together with some space - for an accessible, all-abilities playground and park which will be to the benefit of everyone. The removal of the cinema and pool from the original plans are regrettable - and I would welcome them being reincluded in the new plans - green open space, well landscaped and vegetated, providing places for quiet reflection and for kids to play simply must be included in this development. To quote Cat Stevens from his 1970 hit: "I know we've come a long way, We're changing day to day, But tell me, where do the children play?"