Planning Proposal - Wollongong City Council - NSW Government

proximity to public transport, the centre of Wollongong (which provides a number of
recreational, social and medical facilities) and the beach. Over 300 people are on
Warrigal Care's waiting list for self-care accommodation and the proponent was under
great pressure to provide accommodation.
A Development Application was lodged and determined by way of refusal by the
Southern Region Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) for a number of reasons but
mainly due to design issues and the lack of information supplied during the
assessment process. However, the assessment report prepared by the JRPP did make
the following comment regarding the social impact of the proposal:
“The LGA is known to have an above average retired population. The
Wollongong City Housing Strategy 2005* identified that there was 83.5 aged
care places per 1,000 persons aged 70+ within the Illawarra region in 2005,
while the target for 2010/2011 is 108 operational places per 1000 persons
aged 70+.
The applicant has identified a shortage of aged care housing within the area.
The development will go somewhere towards meeting the current shortage in
aged care housing provision in the LGA. The development will provide an
additional 58 beds within the aged care facility (noting that 62 residents will
be moved from the Coniston nursing home) and up to 72 independent living
spaces.
Co-location of aged care facilities, which is encouraged by the NSW
Government, will provide an opportunity for existing residents to move across
the proposed facility with minimal disruption as dependency levels increase.
As such, the proposed facility will enable local residents the opportunity to
‘age in place’ which is a positive social outcome.” (JRPP assessment report;
15).
* The Wollongong City Housing Study was produced in 2005 by SGS
Economics and Planning on behalf of Wollongong City Council.
As the JRPP assessment report indicates, Wollongong has an ageing population
(above average when compared to the rest of NSW). In addition, there is a shortage
of aged care housing within the LGA. The study prepared by SGS also highlighted the
fact that at present the population of Wollongong is very mobile which has
implications for social cohesion and a sense of community in these localities. The
above points identify a strong need for aged care housing. By co-locating facilities,
the proposal will allow people to ‘age in place’, helping to foster social cohesion and a
sense of community in Wollongong.
The Illawarra Urban Development Program (IUDP) (a State Government Program for
managing land and housing supply in the Illawarra) through the Illawarra Regional
Strategy 3 explanation paper 4 , has identified the need for 38,000 new dwellings in the
3 Illawarra Regional Strategy. 2007. NSW Department of Planning.
4 Illawarra Urban Development Program: An Explanation. 2010. NSW Department of Planning.
Warrigal Care – Planning Proposal 6