Brickworks developer to forge ahead
Brickworks developer to forge ahead
July 01, 2009
Section: News
WARREN JONES
The company behind the proposed Bulli Brickworks housing development will forge ahead with plans despite being disappointed about forced major changes to its plans enforced by Wollongong City Council.
Village Building Company CEO Bob Winnel said the council’s decision to protect more of the site than originally discussed for development and restrictions meaning planned five-storey buildings will be cut down to three storeys was a disappointing one for the developer.
He said that by giving about 40 per cent of the site to parkland, the council had prevented VBC from building a number of higher quality houses with ocean views.
By allowing only buildings up to three storeys, the council had shot down plans for units on the site to be marketed to elderly residents, Mr Winnel said.
“At five storeys we could have afforded lifted buildings to make them more suitable for elderly people,” he said. “(But now) they will be three storey walk-ups.”
VBC was also “somewhat despondent” over the “unusual” way the changes were presented.
He said VBC knew nothing of the changes until a public meeting last week.
“Council officers indicated to us that if there were further major changes they would call it in and discuss it with us,” he said.
Despite these setbacks, Mr Winnel said VBC would now look towards getting the development started.
“Our job is now to get on and finalise discussions with the council and get on with the rezoning and get on with the development,” he said.
The rezoning of the former brickworks site was passed as part of the new Local Environment Plan being enacted by the council.
