Hello,
Last night’s Wollongong Council meeting covered everything from multi-million dollar funding cuts to the height of trees in pocket parks. Let’s get into it.
Today’s newsletter is 908 words, a 5-minute read.
First: Council unites against $16 million funding cut
NSW State Parliament
Councillors voted unanimously to oppose proposed changes to the NSW State Financial Assistance Grants program, which funds local infrastructure such as roads and community facilities.
Lord Mayor Brown (Labor) called the proposal a “kick in the teeth”, saying it wrongly hits regional centres. Other Councillors highlighted that assets might have to be sold off and services cut to cover the expected $16 million shortfall.
Worth Knowing:
The funding comes from the federal government, which is then distributed by the state government based on a funding model. It is proposed changes to this funding model that are causing the issue.
The NSW Government is saying that because Wollongong LGA property prices are so high, Council should be able to raise more rate revenue.
But while the median house price in Wollongong is about 1.5 times the Regional NSW average ($1,221,250 compared to $820,000), the median household income is only 1.1 times that of regional NSW ($1,637 compared to $1,466)
Still, the rhetoric about being the ‘beach for Western Sydney’ and Councillor Campbell (Labor) retelling a joke about the lifeguards having to check people’s postcodes before saving them is arguably not the most effective position when appealing to a state government.
What's ahead: Council resolved to have an extraordinary meeting before 9 October to finalise a submission to the NSW Government about the proposed changes.
Second: Six council sites opened up for housing
What is a park worth?
Council rezoned 231 properties as public recreation land and 15 as environmental management. It also reclassified six sites as operational land, which is council-owned land that can be sold or leased.
The stakes: The issue of land use is central to the current housing debate. As more housing is built, public space becomes more valuable to the community. But the new houses need to go somewhere, and often public space, such as parks and reserves, is the easiest option for Council.
Worth knowing:
Council followed the staff recommendation, which had already dropped five sites, including Wonson Avenue in Coniston, after community feedback on flooding and recreation.
Staff confirmed a report on community housing provider interest would return before any Port Kembla sale.
Residents in Cordeaux Heights, Farmborough Heights and Port Kembla may see housing built on small neighbourhood reserves.
Third: AUKUS discussed, but no base proposed
AUKUS is a trilateral military partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America
Council noted staff answers to a question about possible nuclear submarine bases at Port Kembla. No decision was before Council.
The stakes: As discussed in last week’s Report, the federal government will eventually have to decide where to put a new navy base on the east coast of Australia, if the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program goes ahead. One of the options appears to be Port Kembla, which has created community concern.
Worth knowing:
Councillor Stewart (Greens) used the moment to say a base would be inconsistent with Wollongong's status as a "Nuclear Free Zone". She called waiting for formal government documents "too passive".
Councillors Campbell and Hayes (Labor) raised questions about staff time being spent on an issue when no official government plan is publicly known to exist.
Councillor Docker (Greens) spoke in favour of the debate, saying that while AUKUS may be “awkward” for some councillors (given party affiliations with the current federal government), it remains an issue of concern for residents.
A question was put to Council staff about whether the federal government would have to work with Council if it wanted to build a navy base there. While the General Manager was as diplomatic as ever, the answer was essentially no.
What's ahead: This is a slow-burning issue. No decision is expected to be made for years. But it is an issue that locals, particularly in Port Kembla, deeply care about, and likely won’t be quiet about come next local election.
Looking further, it is also a debate that might well put Port Kembla, and Wollongong, in the sphere of the biggest geopolitical contest in world history.
Also decided
Council unanimously endorsed its response to the state government's Illawarra Shoalhaven regional growth plan.
Council unanimously commissioned a report on privacy risks from smart glasses in pools and change rooms.
Council approved seeking a $9 million loan to buy land for the Northcliffe Drive Extension in West Dapto.
Councillor David Brown (Labor) was elected Deputy Lord Mayor for one year, winning eight votes to Councillor Whittaker's (Greens) four, with Councillor Morris abstaining.
Council unanimously revoked an outdated Community Transport policy, reappointed an audit committee member, set the 2027 meeting calendar and noted routine reports.
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What do you think?
There were some big issues covered in last night’s meeting. What do you think about balancing housing and public parks, or AUKUS coming to Port Kembla? Let me know by replying to this email, and I can feature you in next week’s edition.
Talk soon,
Liam