Calls for State Heritage Listing for Corrimal Coke Works site

A COMMUNITY group has called for the Corrimal Coke Works site to be given a state heritage listing.

Corrimal Community Action Group (C CAG) president Anne Marett said the listing may be the last and best chance for “real protection” of the heritage values of the Corrimal Coke Works site.

The Heritage Council of NSW is calling for submissions to its Notice of intention to consider listing the Corrimal Coke Works on the State Heritage Register until close of business on November 11, 2021.

“It is important for the community to support this listing,” Ms Marett said.

“It has the potential to alter some of the worst aspects of the redevelopment plans.

“Aboriginal Heritage protection has not been incorporated into the rezoning for the site.”

Illawarra Coke Company Pty Ltd and Legacy Property are seeking planning approval to rezone the site located at 27 Railway Street Corrimal, to enable residential development, conservation and open space.

Changes to the original plans for the site include a reduction in the height limit from six to four storeys; the number of residences reduced from 760 to 550; a mix of apartment blocks and townhouses; the buildings will no longer encroach into the 100 metre buffer zone around the flying-fox camp, and more of the industrial heritage features preserved or interpreted.

While welcoming concessions made to the original proposal for the site, C CAG continue to raise concern over traffic management and heritage protection related to the site.

Ms Marett says as a result of community demands, the current plan is an improvement on the previous proposals.

“There are still a number of important issues that must be resolved before the community can accept it,” she said.

“Listing on the State Heritage Register could offer the first real protection for Aboriginal sacred sites, while also asking for more extensive protection for its industrial and ecological heritage. The whole site warrants listing.

“Wollongong has lost so much of its history. We need to speak up and make it clear we really value our history by supporting the State Heritage Listing of this very special site.”

Submissions for State Heritage Listing can be sent to heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au

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