Hello,

Welcome to the first day of Spring!

And it’s a Tuesday, which means it’s time to dive into what’s happening in Wollongong’s civic and community space.

Today’s newsletter is 851 words, a 4-minute read.

This month has seen two different but connected forms of community backlash against government-led development and growth.

The stakes: On 22 August, a rally was held in MacCabe Park to protest the construction of a new skatepark. And, this past weekend, a public community meeting was held in the Wollongong CBD over concerns about high-rise developments due for construction.

The two issues highlight the fact that Wollongong is growing. But the community campaigns that have sprung up around them also highlight the role that community engagement and organising can play in shaping that growth.

Worth knowing: Although the issues are linked to the broader conversation of what Wollongong will look like in the future, there is nuance to all of them, so here are the details:

Officials say: Regarding MacCabe Park, Council is adamant the skate park will go ahead as planned. While some Councillors acknowledged that there is some community concern at the last Council meeting, they all reaffirmed their position that the development is supported by the majority of residents, with a Council notice saying the skatepark will “serve our community now and into the future.”

Meanwhile, Council has issued no response to Wrong for the Gong. As the developments are being assessed by the NSW State Government rather than Council, there would be little benefit for Council to wade into a debate where they have limited control over the outcome.

Counter Point: Both groups have made sure to frame their opposition as not being ‘NIMBY’ protests or against development itself, but against a particular case of it in a particular place,

Friends of MacCabe Park state on their petition site, “Build a skatepark, YES. But get the location right.” However, the group’s convenor then spent time at the rally explaining how the park should be a “backyard” for the surrounding apartments, which includes her own.

Likewise, Wrong for the Gong makes it clear that they’re not against building completely; they just don’t think these particular buildings should be developed right there, where the organisers live. But, as we explored in our report on the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan, the population is growing fast, people need to live somewhere, and there isn’t much land left between the escarpment and the ocean, so a logical option for government is to build higher.

Zooming out: None of this is to make a claim as to the worthiness of either development or either community campaign. That is not the role of The Civic Report. What this report is interested in is community engagement with civic life, which is exactly what these two issues represent.

While both campaigns face an uphill battle, they also demonstrate the power of having individuals and a community that really care about where they live, and are willing to put effort into helping shape the future the way they want to see it.

Ultimately, decisions are constantly being made to change Wollongong in one way or another, and it’s better that those making the decisions are not just left to listen to organisations and institutions with money and power, but that they can also hear the voices of the community as well.

Do you have something to say on the issues? Reply to this email with your view, and we will feature it in next week’s report.

You might have noticed that The Civic Report looks a little different this week.

At the heart of this newsletter is the idea that Council and civic information should be easily accessible to everyone, and part of that is making the design as easy to read and understand as possible.

Let us know what you think of the new look by replying directly to this email, we would love to hear your feedback.

Yes, that means you!

Talk soon,

Liam