The proposal which sparked one of the biggest corruption scandals in local government history is set to be rejected by Wollongong City Council.
Disgraced developer Frank Vellar's ambitious Quattro development has been recommended for refusal, ending a saga which began when Mr Vellar first lodged his proposal four years ago.
The council released its report recommending rejection late yesterday - almost one year to the day when the Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC) public hearings began on February 19.
Bound by Flinders, Campbell and Keira streets, the 48m-high $100 million development was three times the size of any comparable development in the city.
In the wake of the ICAC hearings the council launched a landmark court case aimed at overturning the original approval for the proposal, the outcome of which hung on whether Quattro was "tainted by corruption".
Two weeks ago the Land and Environment Court handed down consent orders which effectively overturned the approval.
All that remained to be done was a reassessment of the original application.
That reassessment found the Quattro proposal should be rejected on several grounds. "The bulk and scale of the development is excessive and inappropriate, having regard to the character of nearby development and the desired future character sought to be achieved," the report said.
Mr Vellar did not comment on the report yesterday.
The council's recommendation for rejection could be the final nail in Quattro's coffin.
The land, bought in 2002 for $8.8 million, is still owned by Mr Vellar's company Sebvell.
But his Quattro vision may never be realised.
The recommendation for refusal will be discussed at the council's meeting on February 24.
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