Shellharbour eyes rejected factory outlet

Shellharbour councillor Paul Rankin has already approached developer Leda Holdings after Wollongong council this week voted to reject the company’s $110million proposal for a second time.

Cr Rankin said he wanted to set up a meeting with managing director Rob Ell and council planning staff to discuss possible land options for the factory outlet and homemaker centre.

‘‘We’re above board about it,’’ Cr Rankin said. ‘‘If we don’t have anything suitable then obviously it won’t happen, but if we do have something suitable it gives Leda [Holdings] an option to come to Shellharbour.’’

Alongside Stockland’s $330million shopping centre redevelopment, such a development could affirm Shellharbour’s place as the growth capital of the Illawarra.

Cr Rankin said it was too early to say what role the council would play bringing the outlet to the city, but that it would ‘‘probably act more as a facilitator’’.

‘‘Shellharbour is smack bang in the middle of Wollongong and Nowra, and has access from the Southern Highlands as well, so the benefit for us is that we can pull from three large areas,’’ he said.

He admitted he did not know if any land in the city would be appropriate, but flagged the possibility of areas around Illawarra Regional Airport.

The council is in the process of reviewing its Draft Local Environmental Plan.

Meanwhile, other councillors said such a development could bring employment benefits.

‘‘Anything that brings a bit of commerce and employment, I think you would be mad not to at least consider it,’’ Cr John Murray said.

Leda Holdings had sought approval from Wollongong council to adjust the zoning on land in Wyllie Rd to include bulky goods and factory outlet uses.

But the council rejected the proposal on February 27 and a subsequent rescission motion failed.