The move is another indication that the owners of the old cokeworks site are looking to develop housing on the property, high in the escarpment above Coalcliff.

The meeting does not necessarily mean council would approve the rezoning, certainly at this early stage.

Council’s staff were explaining the process the site’s owner would have to go through to seek a change from the zoning of E2 Environmental Conservation and RU1 Primary Production.

The property stretches from Maddens Plains on the top of the escarpment to Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coalcliff, and down to Clifton, and is bisected by the South Coast rail line, a council spokesman said.

“Council staff have met with the site owners and discussed the process for rezoning of the site,” he said.

“Any rezoning of the site would involve the preparation of studies – to be produced by the site owners – for submission to council.

“These would be considered by council and if a rezoning (called a planning proposal) of the site was supported by council for further consideration, a draft planning proposal would then be sent to the NSW Department of Planning for their approval to enable exhibition. 

“Additional studies may also be required at this stage.  Following exhibition, council would consider the feedback received, and decide whether or not to finalise the rezoning of the site.”

He said no proposal was before council.

Illawarra Coke Company director Kate Strahorn told the Mercury last month the initial reports had been encouraging as to the environmental rehabilitation required.

She said a residents meeting held on the site last month was to gauge community feeling, and no plans had been decided upon.

“We are currently carrying out detailed investigations of the property to better understand the future potential of the site,” she said.

“At this stage no decisions have been made.”