New plans for Corrimal coke works site

The former Corrimal Coke Works site to be redeveloped.

DEVELOPMENT partners Legacy Property and Illawarra Coke Company (ICC) are inviting residents and interested parties to an information session on the proposed redevelopment of the Corrimal Coke Works site on Saturday.

The Illawarra Coke Company is proposing to rezone the 18ha property for residential development and parkland. The company has submitted a rezoning proposal seeking to develop more than 750 homes on the former industrial lands, which has been vacant since the coke works closed in 2014.

Under the original proposal, 11ha would become medium density residential land, while a portion of the site would be green space, including parks, walking trails and cycleways. Other proposed features include shops, cafes, childcare centres and a new plaza near Corrimal Railway Station.

Corrimal Coke Works when operating. Photo: Warren & Diana Ackary

This Saturday’s session at Corrimal District Library and Community Centre will showcase details of the updated plans and provide an opportunity for people to talk to members of the project team.

The proponents say the updated planning proposal, which is being finalised for council consideration, builds on the community consultation and strategic investigation that has been ongoing since 2015. It says the latest plan for the site incorporates feedback from community meetings and workshops held in December 2018.

Meanwhile Corrimal Community Action Group have raised concern over a number of issues surrounding the development of the site.

In a media release, the group have labelled the original proposal put forward as “a massive overdevelopment” of the site, which would create “traffic chaos”.

The group, whose members will be attending Saturday’s information session, have also raised concern over the protection of what they say is endangered rainforest along the Towradgi Creek and the other mature trees, as well remediation of possible contamination, while protecting the Aboriginal and industrial heritage of the site.

This weekend’s discussions will also feed into planning considerations. Legacy Property’s Mike Williams said engaging with all members of the community was important to gain a broad understanding of how the site could best cater to the needs of the region.

“This is an amazing opportunity to renew and re-invigorate a large, derelict site in a growth hub like Wollongong,” he said.

“We want to respect the history of the Coke Works while providing an asset the region can be proud of. It makes sense that everyone within the community has the opportunity to comment on what we are proposing.” ICC director, Kate Strahorn said planning for the site has always been a collaborative effort.

“We began talking to individuals and groups in 2015 and we have continued to listen and adapt to the feedback we have received.

Coupled with the technical studies, we believe we have found the right balance of infrastructure for the site.” “

The Corrimal Coke Works Community Information Session is on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Corrimal Library and Community Centre in Short Street. Members of the public are invited to drop in to the informal session at any time between 1pm and 3pm.

The site to be redeveloped. Photo: Google