THE sod has been turned on what has been branded a “transport-oriented housing development” and the region’s largest residential development at Corrimal. 

Once complete, The Works will deliver at least 550 new homes, including 57 affordable houses.

The brownfield site – the former Coke Works, which operated from 1912 until its closure in 2014 – will enter a new chapter.

The development is an eight-minute walk or a two-minute drive from Corrimal train station. The development aims to provide homes close to public transport, jobs, and services.

State MP for Keira, Ryan Park and State MP for Wollongong Paul Scully were among the dignitaries attending the sod turning ceremony today (Friday).

Mr Park said the residential project is a perfect example of a transport-oriented development (TOD) done well.

“Right here next to Corrimal train station, people will have excellent access to public transport from day one, he said.

“It also shows how our wider planning reforms are unlocking new housing opportunities.

“It’s not simply about building homes, but about delivering thoughtful, high-quality places that attract people and make them proud to live here.”

Future stages of the project will be considered State Significant Development under the Housing Delivery Authority.

Plans include the preservation and adaptive reuse of the iconic 1912 brick chimney stack and parts of the original coke ovens, which will sit at the heart this development. This will become a gathering place for cafés, small businesses, and community facilities.

It will also be Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star rated community – More than half the site will be retained as green and public open space, with over 150,000 native trees and plants along Towradgi Creek, new biodiversity corridors, walking and cycling links, and even a bush tucker trail celebrating First Nations culture.

The development has been heralded as a new benchmark for sustainable urban renewal in the Illawarra.

During construction, The Works will generate around $750 million in economic activity and support more than 2,400 jobs. And once the community is complete, new residents will contribute over $30 million every year to the local economy.

Mr Scully said he was pleased to see work getting underway on the development. 

“Wollongong ranks in the top 10 of local government areas for housing approvals during the Housing Accord period, the highest outside of Sydney, but the best thing about an approval is when construction gets underway because it brings people closer to putting new keys in the doors of new homes.

“This project will create a new, vibrant community on a piece of land that has been unused for years and will do it while protecting important heritage items as a nod to the role that the site played in our industrial past.”

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