Skydive Australia has welcomed a recommendation to remove the court-imposed hurdle stopping its long-awaited Stuart Park headquarters from going ahead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the building’s opponents have warned of more obstacles – and hinted at further legal action – as the company and the council prepare to negotiate the lease which would allow the office block to be built on public land.
On Friday, a recommendation from Wollongong’s Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel was made public, with the four members voting unanimously that the building should be given approval.
Skydive director Anthony Ritter said the adventure company believed “commonsense prevailed” and would be making a start to build the headquarters as soon it could.
“We’re looking forward to being able to maintain a professional business and present a professional front for Wollongong’s adventure tourism,” he said.
Mr Ritter also welcomed IHAP’s removal of a restriction which limited jumps to daylight, but said a condition to allow “a maximum of three drops per hour, with each drop having a maximum of eight tandem parachutes” may limit the business.
Meantime, Protect Our Parks member John Riggall said the group, which launched the legal action responsible for delaying the building’s approval, was not surprised by IHAP’s decision.
“Council staff and Skydive have been working towards this for several years,” Mr Riggall said.
However, he warned there could be further court action from the community group as negotiations over a lease on the land begin.
Wollongong City Council said the staff would consider the panel’s report and make an official development determination before the matter was returned to the Land and Environment Court.
“If the court gives effect to that decision, council would progress negotiations for a new lease agreement,” a spokeswoman said.
“Skydive the Beach will need a new lease agreement before they can commence work.”