Decision on the future of Brickyard Point

Headlands Hotel, Austinmer

WOLLONGONG City Council will prepare a draft chapter of the Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009 and changes to the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2010 based on the vision and design principles derived from community feedback on the iconic Austinmer headland site.

Council voted on June 12 to endorse a vision for Brickyard Point, Headlands Hotel Austinmer which includes a preferred built form outcome to guide the preparation of draft planning controls.

Council has spent two months consulting with the community and key parties involved with the site. The draft vision and supporting documents were placed on public exhibition during July and August last year. Council sent a letter to more than 3,000 households in the area, held an information evening, and conducted an online survey seeking community feedback in relation to the design principles and options presented by the draft vision.

Acting Lord Mayor David Brown said the consultation has provided Council with key themes for a vision for the site.

“This headland has a long history in the city and it also has a long history of tourism related development,” Cr Brown said.

“In preparing a vision for the site Council is recognising that character and wonderful environment that this place offers both citizens and visitors.

“The community consultation process identified a number of important design principles for the site. These include the visual prominence and character of the headland, the need to protect the Norfolk Island Pines, a limited form of building to the east and the principle of design excellence.

“Council will now endeavour to encourage these principles through the draft local chapter of the DCP and amendments to the Local Environmental Plan.

“Council has begun this process to ensure that our planning controls for this iconic site allow for development which is sympathetic to its natural and introduced features.”

The community will have further opportunity for input on the future for the site, when the draft DCP chapter and LEP amendments are exhibited later in the year. The draft locality chapter of the DCP will be reported to Council for consideration prior to going to public exhibition.

For more information visit Council’s website or call Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 4227 7111. For a history of Headlands Hotel visit the Looking Back website.