Residents reject Stuart St proposal

Opposition turned to frustration at a public meeting in Helensburgh on 16 March when residents learned a three-storey building in Walker Street had been approved by Wollongong Council the week before.

About 150 residents gathered at the Helensburgh Community Centre to discuss a proposed three-storey development in Stuart Street put forward by developer Peter Baxter.

However several residents claimed the meeting was pointless as a precedent had already been set by the approval of real estate veteran Ken McCarthy’s plan for his Bewdiful Blooms and Balloons site.

Wollongong Council approved an amended plan for the site on 8 March, including one less residential unit which Mr McCarthy said made the roof lines less conspicuous.

“The original plan contained two commercial components with six residential units,” he said.

Submissions for the Stuart Street development closed on 1 March and the proposal is for six three-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units and nine one-bedroom units as well as two commercial spaces and two levels of parking.

Centennial Hotel publican Bernie Ryan told the meeting the development would create “Campbelltown by the Sea”.

“It will destroy the village-type atmosphere of Helensburgh,” he said.

Residents raised concerns about high-density living, overshadowing, inadequate parking and traffic problems.

The only person to speak in favour of the development, Kevin Binner, said units as well as shops were needed in Helensburgh.

“It’s lovely here but our kids won’t be able to afford to live in Helensburgh,” he said.

“Done tastefully, two storeys above shops can’t be a problem.”

 Wollongong councilor Alice Cartan suggested anyone with concerns about the development should write to Council and request an informal planning conference however she admitted attending this conference would preclude residents from addressing the council meeting.

Cr Cartan said building heights were not limited under the current 3A general business zoning.

“There is an FSR (floor space ratio) limit but no height limit apart from the Regional Environmental Plan which sets a height limit of 11 metres.”

With regard to the Walker Street development, Cr Cartan said the revised design was “more palatable”.

“You may not love it but you will love it a damn sight more than the original,” she said.