The Civic Report: Wollongong City Council, 29 June 2026
Table of Contents
Council locked in its budget for the next year and its plan for the next four. The Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2026-2027 passed, setting spending and project priorities across the city.
The budget is set
Councillor David Brown moved it and pointed to Ward 3 projects: the Warrawong Community Centre, a sporting hub at Darkes Town Centre, and road upgrades. He said the plan balances new projects with looking after what already exists. Councillor Andrew Anthony backed it. It carried. This means those projects are funded and can go ahead.
More housing for Gwynneville
Council also finalised a plan to rezone several Gwynneville streets for higher-density housing. Staff member Linda Davis flagged a mapping error: Wollongong council, not the state agency Homes NSW, will be the official buyer of a block of land at Spearing Reserve, though Homes NSW funds the purchase. Councillors David Brown and Dan Hayes amended the motion to fix this. It carried. The rezoning now goes to the state government for sign-off.
A miniature railway at Stanwell Tops
A proposal for a miniature railway at Stanwell Tops will go to public exhibition. Councillor Dan Hayes moved it, saying residents would get more chances to comment later, at the state government stage and again when a development application is lodged. Councillor Kit Docker raised concerns about illegal structures, land clearing, and satellite imagery on the site. Councillor Andrew Anthony tried to defer the decision. That failed, 5 votes to 7. The original motion then passed, 9 votes to 3. Nothing is approved yet. This just opens it up for public feedback.
A plan for disability access, with a wages fight
Council adopted its Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030. Councillor Jess Whittaker pushed to oppose "subminimum wages," lower pay sometimes given to workers with disability, calling it discriminatory. Councillor Kit Docker backed her. Councillor Linda Campbell worried the amendment would sink the whole plan. Councillor Thomas Quinn said he needed more reports first. The plan passed. Note: our source material was unclear on whether the wage amendment made the final cut, so we can't confirm that detail with certainty.
Land taken over in North Wollongong
Council approved acquiring land at 18 Ajax Avenue, North Wollongong, for drainage and roadworks. It carried. Councillor Ryan Morris was absent for the vote.
A tree-climbing course for the Botanic Garden
Council will negotiate with Treeclimb SA Pty Ltd over a "TreeClimb" course at the Botanic Garden, at no cost to council. Councillor Linda Campbell asked how community feedback on the proposal would be handled. It carried, but nothing is final yet.
Renewable energy "pause" rejected
Councillor Ryan Morris pushed to pause renewable energy purchases until council could guarantee no slave or child labour in the supply chain. Councillor David Brown called it a "stalking horse" against renewables. The pause failed, 2 votes to 10. Instead, councillors Brown and Campbell proposed a broader review of ethical buying across all council purchases, and council will write to the Anti-Slavery Commissioner. That passed unanimously. Renewable projects continue as planned.
Also decided
Nine other items, including library tech, a café lease at Thirroul Beach, and April's financial reports, passed together without debate.
Next Meeting
The next Wollongong Council meeting is set for 27 July. Sign up to our mailing list to get the next report straight in your inbox.