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?"

1. Parking allocations should be reviewed with parking made available for all residential and commercial properties. ie. some properties do not include parking on the assumption of the train station and buses being available close by. Limited parking with the premises will put pressure on visitor parking and surrounding parking locations.
2. Parking access entry and exit to the premises should have multiple points of access to improve external traffic flow and reduce congestion in the area.
3. Footpaths surrounding the development and accessing the development should be of suitable quality for high volume pedestrian use.
4. Offset the reduction of sunlight provision in McCabe Park with open area parkland within the development so residents and public can enjoy grassed landscaped areas with tree coverage and seating or activity including dogs.
5. Include provision for outdoor evening cinema in summer eg building screen projections
6. Include ground water fountain sprinklers for children to play in during summer for activation

The public expectation is that locals and visitors (not just residents of the development) will be able to enjoy using the open plaza space that has shopping, eateries, landscaped areas with seating, event and other activations with ease of access via a number of laneways that are well lit and safe during the day and evening. The removal of the public pool and cinema is disappointing however could be offset not just by increasing affordable housing allocations. Eg. Consider inclusion of a rooftop restaurant and or bar so that locals and visitors can also enjoy the view from the site.

The new plans have not included
- cinema
- gym and entertainment area
- pool for general public
The only advantage to the building for the general public is retail it does not improve the environment and ways for community to connect.
The large number of residential buildings will impact the view of many other buildings in the area the height of them will affect sea views and the overall view of many residential buildings. The height of the building will also affect the feel of walking into town as there are many heritage buildings which are not as high.
There should be more consideration given to community use of this area

This new planning application varies significantly from the previous approved submission resulting in
1) more massing of high-rise buildings at the Crown Street side of the site due to the proposed residential blocks being relocated from the Burelli Street side of the site to the Crown Street side, together with the higher commercial building on the corner with Keira Street.
The consequences of this will be a more oppressive feel to Crown Street from the high-rise buildings and a disproportionate scale of new high-rise buildings compared to the existing retained low-rise retail Heritage buildings on the opposite side of Crown Street. The previous submission had low-rise retail on the Crown Street Side of the site with the tower blocks located significantly back from Crown Street.
That previous arrangement should be kept and not allow creep of high-rise buildings onto the Crown Street side of the site.
2) The previous planning submission included public usage spaces such as a cinema and gym with pool. There is now no reference to a cinema and a reduced area for the general public, which is now designed primarily for access to retail units and little provision for public open space for relaxation and meet ups. The pool and large landscaped area now seems to be wholly for the use of residents in the new high-rise blocks.
The public space should reflect the good provisions now in place in the Crown Street outdoor mall with ample seating, good lighting, art works and green planted areas with trees.
3) The submission shows the construction to be in two stages. This means that Stage One will be substantially complete before Stage Two starts, potentially extending the construction period and introducing the risk of Stage Two being sold off to another developer.
Stage Two includes the tallest residential block to be built above Spotlight, keeping the Heritage façade of the Spotlight building.
The planning approval should not allow this potentially extended construction period and the inevitable disruption to the general public. There is a risk of Stage Two area being left undeveloped and left as a demolished site for many years.

I am writing on behalf of the Owners' Committee of 11-15 Atchison Street, Wollongong.
The Committee would like to register the following objections and comments.
Firstly, the height of residential building 2 at 42 levels is seen to be excessive and unnecessary. This tower will be constructed on an already elevated site, making it even higher than the proposed 42 level height. The height also appears to exceed the existing LEP height limit that applies to Central Wollongong.
Add to this, the shadow line cast by such a tall structure and the impact on other residences within this shadow. Buildings to the South will be in permanent shadow and have extremely limited access to daylight, especially in Winter when the sun's angle is greatly reduced. The residents of our building in particular will be greatly impacted by this. We suggest that the height of this tower be reduced to that of the other 2 towers and that the proposed residences be evenly distributed across all 3 towers.
Aesthetically, a tower of this magnitude will be oppressive and overbearing in the small area that is Crown Street. It is not an appropriate placement for such a building.
The second concern is that of parking. There appears to be an insufficient allocation of parking space, especially the number allocated to the proposed hotel. 29 spaces is in no way adequate. Parking in Wollongong CBD is in short supply and one wonders where hotel guests are going to park. There also appears to be limited commercial parking available. With a 10 storey office complex, a 166 room hotel, retail tenancies and a supermarket, an increase in parking availability is essential and needs to be addressed before construction commences.
This is an extremely large development and it is essential that it is carried out considerately and mindfully, recognising the concerns of Wollongong residents who will be greatly impacted by it.

I support the project as it will increase housing availability and affordability in the area

Please refer to the attached documents.