Homes NSW paid $1.05 million for a Gwynneville home in June – but it won’t be used for housing. Instead, 5 Spearing Parade is earmarked to become part of an expanded Spearing Reserve.
The purchase is part of plans to almost double the amount of public open space in the area, alongside a broader plan to replace social housing in Gwynneville that Homes NSW says is no longer fit for purpose with around 1200 new homes, including social, affordable and private housing.
Some of the detail of how that could work is now on the table, with Wollongong City Council consulting on a draft agreement with Homes NSW covering the public space and infrastructure that would come with the redevelopment.
Under the agreement, Homes NSW would provide land valued at $11.1 million to expand Spearing Reserve and deliver about $2.35 million in infrastructure works.
There is also provision for up to $1.95 million towards securing another property needed for the park expansion, with 3 Spearing Parade identified in planning documents as land required for the project but not owned by Homes NSW.
The proposed works include new shared paths along Irvine Street, Spearing Parade and Murphys Avenue, six upgraded crossings, bus stop improvements and $350,000 for landscaping and watercourse works at Spearing Reserve.
The redevelopment has faced sustained concerns from the Keiraville Residents Action Group and Neighbourhood Forum 5 about its scale and whether local roads, public transport, parking and community infrastructure can cope with the increase in population.
Residents had the chance to put their questions directly to Council and Homes NSW at a community drop-in session at the Gwynneville Senior Citizens Centre on August 18, where much of the discussion focused on which homes could be affected and how long the redevelopment could take.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said given the scale of housing proposed, green space was an important part of the plan.
“I think it’s about getting the balance right,” Cr Brown said.
“We want to make sure that we’ve got social cohesion. So, making sure that there is amenity for the people that come to live in this is vitally important.”
Housing Trust CEO Amanda Winks said housing and the infrastructure around it needed to be considered together.
“As communities grow, investment in infrastructure needs to grow with them,” Ms Winks said.
“Successful communities are not created by housing alone. Access to green space, safe walking and cycling connections, public transport, community facilities, and local services all contribute to health, wellbeing, and social connection.”
Homes NSW first lodged its planning proposal in 2024, seeking changes that would allow the area to be progressively redeveloped.
Council agreed in June to send the broader planning proposal to the NSW Government for final determination, while the more detailed Development Control Plan and Planning Agreement are now on public exhibition.
The area currently contains about 131 residential lots, with more than 60 per cent owned by Homes NSW.
Housing Trust says the need for additional housing is significant, with more than 3000 households across the region waiting for an offer of social housing.
Of the 19,357 households renting privately in Wollongong, almost 30 per cent are experiencing rental stress, rising to almost two-thirds of low-income rental households.
But Ms Winks said the process also needed to recognise the impact on people already living in the area.
“We know that planning for change like this creates uncertainty, and we appreciate this can be hard,” she said.
“Strong communication, meaningful consultation and resident-centred relocation and support arrangements are critical to achieving good outcomes.”
Cr Brown said residents she spoke to at the August session understood the need for more housing but wanted greater certainty about what would happen to them.
“People understand that we need housing and we need that social and affordable housing, but it’s not unreasonable to want reassurance on the process and to know that their concerns are being heard,” she said.
Homes NSW says there are no changes to current social housing tenancy arrangements, with the redevelopment expected to happen in stages over 10 to 15 years, subject to planning approvals.
A second engagement session will be held at Spearing Reserve on September 12, with submissions on the draft DCP and Planning Agreement open until October 5.