Helensburgh Planning Study

Wollongong City Council commissioned Willana Associates to undertake a desktop planning study of the 7(d) Hacking River Environmental Protection zone that is in the vicinity of Helensburgh, Otford and Stanwell Tops.

The purpose of the study was to resolve the conflict between the 7(d) zoning and its objectives to protect the natural environment with the aspirations of the largely private owners of the land.  The issues that required investigation as a part of the desktop planning study:

• The capability of the 7(d) land to support development;

• The capacity of Helensburgh and Otford to cater for additional development;
• The future role of Helensburgh;
• The direction of appropriate future planning control under the draft Wollongong LEP 2009; and,
• The dwelling entitlement provisions of the 7(d) zone.

Through the analysis of existing studies and following site investigations the desktop study assessed the natural, built, economic and social environmental features of the Helensburgh locality.  In reviewing such features, the locality’s ability to accommodate ongoing demand for urban development was determined.  The determination aimed to achieve an effective balance between protecting and enhancing the locality’s environmental characteristics, with the need to satisfy growth of urban areas. 
 

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