Wollongong City Council has formed a West Dapto Review Committee to help councillors oversee all aspects of the West Dapto Urban Release Area.
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The committee will be councillor-only, comprising Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery and the four Ward 3 councillors Chris Connor, Bede Crasnich, Vicki Curran and Ann Martin, although staff did investigate including community representatives.
The committee will act in an advisory capacity only.
The council's director of planning and environment, Andrew Carfield, said an option existed to expand the membership and form a reference group to include community, landowner and industry representatives.
"However this would not overcome the need to engage with stakeholders as key policies and issues associated with the land release are considered by the committee and council," Mr Carfield said.
"There will be a range of perspectives and interests in the future planning for West Dapto and it is considered appropriate to develop strategies for ongoing engagement with the community and stakeholders on key issues and decision points.
"In this regard it is not recommended that a reference group ... be formed.
"However informal opportunities for stakeholders to discuss relevant issues could be arranged."
The West Dapto Urban Release Area covers about 4700 hectares and is proposed to provide an additional 17,000 dwellings and 183 hectares of employment land when fully developed.
It is the largest land release in NSW outside of Sydney's north-west and south-west.
