March 21, 2018

Community comment sought on local University-funded infrastructure upgrades

Voluntary planning agreement public sessions on campus. 

Wollongong residents will have a chance to comment this week on a package of public infrastructure upgrades being offered by the University as part of a proposed Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Wollongong City Council.

Under the Agreement, proposed in lieu of the contributions normally paid by developers to fund community infrastructure anywhere in the local government area, UOW is offering to undertake $7.05M worth of public works over ten years, aimed at benefiting those nearby residents who are most impacted by the University.

The proposed projects include improving vehicular access and egress around the Gwynneville campus, upgrading infrastructure to enable better and safer pedestrian movement and access in the surrounding neighbourhood, reducing the adverse impact of stormwater and flooding within the locality, enhancing the Northfields Avenue streetscape and significantly increasing the usability and playability of the popular Kooloobong Ovals.

Public sessions will be held in the Library on the University’s Wollongong Campus in Northfields Ave, Gwynneville on Thursday 22 March from 6pm until 7.30pm and on Friday 23 March from 9.30am until 11am.

Attendees will be provided information about the proposed projects and have opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback in person.

The proposed VPA is part of the University’s Wollongong Campus Master Plan, published in August 2016, which creates a vision and framework to guide the physical development of the Wollongong campus over the next 20 years.

University of Wollongong Chief Finance Officer, Mr Damien Israel, said the University is attempting to improve the attractiveness of the Northfields Avenue precinct while doing the best it can for local residents.

“Because we recognise the impact the University has on nearby residents, we’ve prepared a package of projects we believe will be beneficial to the community and enhance the amenity of the local area.

“We want to ensure local residents have plenty of opportunities to have their say before the draft is considered again by Wollongong City Council,” Mr Israel said.

Any local residents unable to attend UOW’s consultation sessions can review the proposed agreement and provide feedback via a survey available on the University’s website at www.uow.edu.au/about/campusmasterplan or make a written submission to Wollongong City Council by 5pm, Friday 20 April 2018.

A draft of the proposed VPA was last considered by Wollongong City Council in December 2017 and then placed on public exhibition from Wednesday 14 February until 20 April 2018.