Bellambi reimagined: A first look at the 20-year vision taking shape
2000 more dwellings plus new height, new housing mix and a stronger local centre proposed
The release of the Bellambi Rezoning Proposal offers the first concrete glimpse into a 20-year transformation that promises to reshape the suburb’s skyline and streetscape. For the first time we can share artist impressions.
The images included in the proposal have visualised a density shift that moves away from the 1970s “Radburn” estate model toward a modern, interconnected coastal village.
At the heart of this proposal is a dramatic change in scale. The planning controls seek to lift the current two-storey (9-metre) building limit to allow for a mix of three, four, and six-storey developments reaching up to 22 metres.
This vertical shift is designed to accommodate up to 2500 homes - an increase of roughly 2000 dwellings - replacing ageing social housing stock with a blend of private, affordable, and social units. Crucially, the plan locks in a commitment that at least 30 per cent of all homes on government land will remain social housing, ensuring current residents are not displaced from the community fabric.
“This is a major milestone for Bellambi, which supports sustainable housing growth by enabling the thousands more social, affordable and market homes for current and future residents,” said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Wollongong MP Paul Scully.
“The rezoning will also improve access to open space and amenities, making Bellambi a great place to live.”
The illustrations released with the proposal highlight a “green spine” targeting a minimum 30% canopy cover, and a central north-south active transport link designed to break the isolation of the current cul-de-sac layout.
This corridor connects a new perimeter road along the foreshore to the wider cycleway network, solving long-standing issues regarding the estate’s permeability and passive surveillance.
There’s also the introduction of a dedicated “E1 Local Centre zone” - or public plaza. Proposed near the beachfront and rock pool area, this hub envisions ground-floor retail and businesses with apartments above, creating a plaza that activates the foreshore rather than turning its back on it. This moves Bellambi away from being a strictly residential dormitory to a mixed-use precinct with its own economic heart.
“We’ve listened closely to the community since August 2024, and we now want to hear their feedback on this proposal, which reflects the priorities and vision of residents, stakeholders, and the community.”
Much-needed improvement
Time has dictated the necessity of this renewal. Built largely in the 1970s and 80s, the estate holds the highest concentration of social housing in Wollongong, much of which no longer meets modern accessibility or sustainability standards.
“This community-led renewal will deliver much-needed housing to the Illawarra region, while also delivering improved roads, parks, and public spaces for the Wollongong community,” said Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast and Keira MP Ryan Park.
“It’s about strengthening our community and ensuring Bellambi remains a welcoming and vibrant place for the people of Wollongong for generations to come.”
The rezoning proposal, which reduces minimum lot sizes to 200sqm to encourage diverse housing types like terraces, is the statutory key to unlocking this renewal.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said the 30 per cent social housing requirement was a deliberate intervention to address housing stress across the Illawarra and NSW.
“We’ve listened closely to the community since August 2024, and we now want to hear their feedback on this proposal, which reflects the priorities and vision of residents, stakeholders, and the community,” she said.
The proposal is now on public exhibition, with community feedback invited until 5pm on Friday, March 13, 2026. Before then there are info sessions:
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre, 49A Cawley Street, Bellambi NSW 2518
Lunch session: 11am-1pm
Evening session: 4pm6pm
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Corrimal District Community Centre, 15 Short Street, Corrimal NSW 2518
Lunch session: 11am-1pm
Evening session: 4pm-6pm
A free barbecue will be provided at both lunch sessions.
The maps that matter
