Planning Proposal - Wollongong City Council - NSW Government

6.3.3 How has the planning proposal adequately addressed any social and economic
effects?
A Social Impact Assessment (SIA) (Annexure L) was prepared by Watkinson
Apperley Pty Ltd (December 2009) and lodged with the DA.
The SIA made the following conclusions and recommendations:
“The proposed development has been assessed against the provisions and
definitions of the SEPP (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004
and is consistent.
The Social Impact of the proposed aged care facility on the existing
community is mostly positive with increases in employment and population
density expected. The impact on the site and streetscape will be positive
resulting in improvements to the amenity of the area.
The overall impacts of the proposed development on the future residents of
the aged care facility are expected to be positive. The proposed development
will provide housing diversity, affordability and appropriate design catering to
the needs of a range of older people.
The negative impacts of the development such as access to services and the
impacts of more people using community and recreational facilities can be
mitigated and managed. As such the positive impacts of the proposed
development outweigh the negative impacts.
The proposed rezoning of the land will allow for seniors housing on the site.
As mentioned throughout the proposal, Wollongong has an ageing population
and an above average retired population and requires additional aged care
housing over the next 25 years. Permitting seniors housing on the site will
address the shortage in aged care housing in the LGA and will also
accommodate the above average retired population in the Wollongong area.”
The economic effects of the proposal have been addressed in this paper. The
proposal will permit seniors housing on the site and replace the existing uses on the
site. The planning proposal will:
• Result will create approximately 170 additional jobs, compared with the
current use of the site;
• Protect employment land in a business zone and will ensure the site can
be used for seniors housing (which will create jobs). The proposal may
create additional jobs off-site e.g. in medical practices, etc.; and
• Support the viability of the Wollongong City Centre by increasing
population and employment.
Warrigal Care – Planning Proposal 21