This large scale residential project in the centre of the CBD needs to take into account the social impacts, liveability, residential amenity and quality of life for future residents in high rise/density buildings as well as dedicated active connections to nearby services.

Deletion of community and cultural hub
The revised proposal is a far cry from the original plan in that it offers little or no community amenity. The public outdoor space or a community hub as proposed originally was designed to activate and enliven the precinct day and night, and bring the community together. Furthermore, the suite of cinemas and exhibition spaces proposed originally has been deleted as well. It is noted that at present, Wollongong does not have a cinema complex in the CBD.
No connections with adjacent shopping centres
No all-weather dedicated pedestrian connections with the other adjacent shopping centres known as Crown Central are provided. It is noted that the 3 adjacent Crown Central Shopping Centres have dedicated connections.
No public hearing
Given the scale and critical nature of this CBD infrastructure, a public hearing is mandatory to ensure effective community awareness and engagement before any further steps are taken

This project is excessively large within the existing CBD. Notably from the instance the construction site hoarding is installed, throughout the demolition stage, the excavation stage, construction stage and fit out excessive congestion to CBD pedestrian, traffic and bus movements will result. Notably where will bus passengers and CBD commuters leaving the CBD connect to buses travelling west and north from the CBD? Currently the major bus stops for these passengers are located on Crown and Keira Sts, respectively.
During the demolition phase considerable congestion will occur to CBD traffic and bus services caused by the expected volume of heavy vehicle movements. Ditto the same during the construction phase due to significant volume of scaffold, formwork, reinforcement bar delivery vehicles and concrete agitator movements. Likewise due to the expected large volume of fitment items (e.g. windows, air conditioning ducting, electrical and plumbing supplies) will generate considerable congestion and interruption. Major traffic interruptions will occur during installation and removal of the on site tower cranes, scaffold and formwork supplies.
In addition considerable noise will be emitted during expected hard rock hydraulic jack hammering operations during the excavation phase. Such activities were readily heard, with much displeasure, at this address during the GPT development and numerous other recent building sites necessitating hard rock excavation.
Furthermore where are the workers and trade personnel going to park their vehicles and how will they commute to and from the site?
In addition the scale of this project will generate considerable inflationary pressure on concrete and building supplies and delivery and labour / trade costs. Is there be sufficient concrete supply capacity within the region to cater for each of the expected large pours?
The disruption to Wollongong City by this project will be the death knell of the City for at least ten years. Even more should one or more of the involved excavation or construction companies become bankrupt as occurred at the Australia Square site in Sydney several years back.
Simply the disruption and traffic congestion will cause hinterland residents to avoid entering the CBD for many years both during daylight and after hours. This community avoidance will cause considerable hardship to many CBD businesses leading to expected numerous failures including long term reduced attendance at the IPA, the Town Hall, WIN Entertainment Centre and Stadiums.
Another oddity of this project is the vast difference in development intensity from the over high residential tower on the corner of Aitchison and Burelli Sts to the near no additional height and/or development on 'The Grand' hotel site.
The non inclusion of a bus lay over and/or interchange serviced from Burelli, Keira and Crown Sts is another major disappointment with this project.

Overall the redevelopment of this large site in Wollongong city has many positive attributes, however, the changes proposed, understood to include removal of a planned cinema facility, need more consideration than just two weeks as proposed.
I request that the proposed modification be referred to a public inquiry so more consideration can be given.

The amended project reduces community amenity, with the removal of the cinema, greenspace etc which was to be used and accessible to public.
It will have significant impact on traffic movement and volumes in Wollongong, which is already a nightmare due to local council policies regarding parking, maintaining a largely deserted struggling pedestrian shopping mall and one way streets.
There are currently several major residential towers, mainly shop top housing, already underway in Wollongong without evidence that these will be fully occupied. Continued development of this type, which this development exemplifies, runs the risk of creating urban ghettos, due to inadequate parking, amenity, and variety of housing options.
No-one denies that there is a housing shortage, but this type of development is not the best solution in an area already struggling from lack of public transport, parking, infrastructure and green space for children and families.
A hotel surrounded by apartment towers of this type will not be attractive to guests, considering its locale- in a CBD where businesses are already struggling, with no major attractions nearby and poor transport options.

I am against the proposed development for the following reasons:
It seems as it is "infill social housing" no thought appears to have happened in regard to the aesthetic of the whole development.The high rise appears to be inappropiate the area. Does it include a high energy rating ? This development could be a chance for Wollongong to have a showpiece development with a high energy rating, low rise so it fits in with surrounding area, and green space attached to development ,including roof top gardens, maybe even vertical green aras to offset all the concrete.
What is "affordable" housing ? why not social housing?
Where is the improved infrastructure? this appears to be lacking -should be planned in conjuction with any large develpment in Wollongong.
It appears that a supermarket is planned - Why? Will that type of development attract tenants and bring people into Wollongong?It will be just another bland multi story development that is being built elsewhere -nothing to encourage people to want to live and visit that development.
That site housed a movie complex for a no of years. Why is no new cinema not planned?
THis development could be a showcase for Wollongong if it is ameneded and rethought about what is really required ; why did the NSW Planning Minister not think this major develpoment warranted public consultations ? Appears any easy way to have the needed increase in housing.without public scrutiny
Please rethink this major develpoment in its current format.

My wife and I object mainly because there is minimal community amenity due to the removal of features in the approved WIN Grand development including cinema, pool and green open space.
I am well aware of the WIN Grand DA through having been invited by the applicant to discuss their proposals, which was greatly appreciated, enlightening, convivial and productive. It enabled suggesting various improvements, some of which were adopted . They advised they had been discussing details of the proposal with Council for a long time about Council’s requirements, but .I and other community members were unable to achieve discussions with Council re the project.
Also I am familiar with Council's Neighbourhood Forum 5 submission Sep 2021 included that NF5
1 indicates strong support for the proposal in principle;
2 requests Council to review in detail the car parking provision;
3 requests urgent action on the significant implications for the structure of the city centre outlined in the September minutes.

NF5 Sep 2021 Minutes included: However, the proposal will have significant implications for the structure of the city centre. In particular it could:
i downgrade the mall to secondary retail/services;
ii dilute the entertainment precinct focussed on the performing arts centre;
iii reinforce the need for a public transport spine through the centre from the hospitals in the west to the foreshore, perhaps using 20 seater buses;
iv complicate the Crown/Keira Streets intersection;
v prompt the development and implementation of a Masterplan for McCabe Park;
vi highlight the need for upgrading the streetscape and traffic arrangements in the surrounding streets in line with the completion of the project;
vii provide an opportunity for Council to review its plans for the city centre and to respond to the implications of the proposal.

But this proposal does not appear to have addressed the 7 implications for the City Centre above.
We find it very sad and contrary to decades of well-established effective town planning and development principles and practices that the Local MP & Minister for Planning & Public Spaces "has not directed that a public hearing be held"
We find the lack of effective community engagement with this proposal is at odds with the WIN one and contrary to the Government's rhetoric re development
Whilst it provides more dwellings it avoids addressing citical issues such as adequate infrastructure, environmental concerns, social impacts, liveability, residential amenity and quality of life for future residents jammed into high rise buildings with all the emerging problems and potential conflicts.
Please conduct a public hearing in conjunction with developing and implementing an effective community awareness and
engagement strategy for this proposal asap.
Please contact me if any clarification and/or further information is required

Submission regarding short notice period attached

Detailed comments attached as Word document