A recommended submission on the plan, to be discussed at Monday’s council meeting, has identified a long list of problems with the strategic document, which is designed to guide the development of the Illawarra region until 2031.

Staff say the plan simply validates, and in some cases replicates, Wollongong council’s existing strategies, resulting in a ‘‘largely status quo plan’’, which does not contain any new visionary directions.

‘‘The draft plan does not advocate for the Illawarra, but rather accepts its current position,’’ the report to councillors says.

In a proposed letter to be sent to the planning department, general manager David Farmer says the plan ‘‘must move beyond the current [short-term] actions, strategies and commitments of the state government and provide genuine long-term commitment...[to] advance the region’’.

For instance, in one of ‘‘six big initiatives’’ highlighted in the draft plan, the government recommends developing a ‘‘Wollongong Centre Action Plan’’.

However, the council said this was already being done through its own Public Spaces Public Life study.

‘‘It would make sense for the department to support the existing work, rather than developing its own action plan,’’ the council submission says.

It also criticises the emphasis on the region’s ‘‘northern growth corridor’’, which is ‘‘being oversold by its description as a regional shaper or transformative initiative’’.

Council staff say Wollongong’s housing strategy is based on growth in the city centre and near existing railway stations and suggest the government extend its growth corridor focus south to include North Wollongong, Coniston, Unanderra and Dapto.

The northern growth corridor is also unfeasible due to the government’s changes to the rail timetable, which means the express train from Sydney stops at just one station in the proposed growth area.

Further, many of the maps and graphics in the growth plan contain errors, the council submission says, and more detailed analysis of new jobs targets is needed.

The draft plan was open for public comment until December 7, with submissions collected to  shape the final Illawarra Regional Growth and Infrastructure Plan.