corrimal development update

i believe this project has previously been knocked back by council re hieght issues (6 storeys) & blocking/ obscuring local "escarpment views"

however there may be some progress here as VPG seems to be purchasing additional land from the council itself

the headline below relates to Stockland's land parcel



Council should grab Corrimal land
Date: 27/07/2010
Words: 443
Source: ILL
Publication: Illawarra Mercury
Section: News
Page: 15


Stockland is selling four blocks of land south of Short St, Corrimal, originally owned by the Ziems family.
Wollongong City Council must buy these sites as a strategic acquisition that shows good faith, innovative leadership and long-term master planning wisdom in an holistic Corrimal revitalisation process.

The blocks, extending from the Princes Hwy east to the western boundary of Corrimal Olympic Pool, will allow the council in the future to extend Ziems Park to the highway and provide space for long-term development of the Corrimal District Community Precinct and adjacent present and future sporting, recreational, social, cultural, educational, historical and community facilities.

Corrimal Chamber of Commerce, as well as individual citizens, first raised the need to extend Ziems Park to the highway. This case has been backed by a cross-section of the community during Corrimal revitalisation strategy public forums and feedback sessions, as well as by the council's own Neighbourhood Forum 4.

However, refusal by key Wollongong City Council representatives (planning and administration) to meet the Neighbourhood Forum executive to formulate a strategic master plan for Ziems Park extension and development is now a major and pressing issue because the four key Stockland blocks are to be auctioned on August 26 by Raine and Horne Commercial.

The community for months has wanted to discuss with the council strategists ways of financing the acquisition without affecting the council's cash flow. The community wanted to make the case that the council should invest in Corrimal for the benefit of Corrimal and district, from funds the council is about to secure from the area.

The flood-free land the council acquired for strategic purposes in Underwood St, Corrimal, vacant residential property unable to recoup any of the holding charges, plus council-owned car park land, is being sold to Valad as part of the site for Valad's $95 million commercial development.

That cash flow, plus Section 94 funding Valad must pay the council for that development, should finance the purchase of the Stockland blocks, several of which are flood prone.

Other Section 94 funding which has been stripped from the Corrimal area under changes brought in by the sacked council should also be returned to the Corrimal area.

If the council fails to secure the Corrimal blocks and fails to proceed with a Ziems Park extension and enhancements program for its key Corrimal Town Centre, then the new owners will face the same community that fought against development of a funeral home on the still vacant footprint blocks and then Stockland's own bid, supported by senior council officers, to not only fill the floodway but to also acquire 5000sqm of Ziems Park west of the Olympic Pool for commercial development.

Ron Tindall, Corrimal.