The owners of the old Coalcliff cokeworks have publicly confirmed they are seeking to develop housing on the site, publishing a “newsletter” on the status of the site.
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The Illawarra Coke Company says while it is seeking to developing housing on “a small part” of the 118 ha property in the escarpment above Coalcliff, it would want “the vast majority” of the land preserved.
Much of the rest of it could become “public open space suitable for recreation and leisure activities”.
The company, which has long since stopped burning coal for coke at the site and which now is simply a landowner and potential developer, has set up a basic website with information on its project’s progress.
It says it has started discussions about donating “a substantial portion” of the property for national park.
“We understand that the Coalcliff cokeworks property is very special, and while we are considering development of a small part of the property for housing, the balance of the property could serve the community in a number of ways,” company director Kate Strahorn says on the website.
We believe the vast majority of the property should be dedicated to conservation and public amenity
- Kate Strahorn, Illawarra Coke Company
“We believe the vast majority of the property should be dedicated to conservation and public amenity. This includes the escarpment and adjacent bushland.”
The suggestion of a public recreation area will raise substantial issues as to whether the land is too contaminated, and what level of rehabilitation is needed.
Ms Strahorn has previously said that consultants had been examining the site to determine how badly it is contaminated, and the early results had been “encouraging”.
Some Coalcliff residents have made it clear they would strongly oppose housing development on the sensitive site.
The land stretches from above the main road at Coalcliff to the top of, and beyond, the escarpment, so the amount of land possible for housing will be limited by its geography.
The newsletter also indicates an intention to hand over some of the land for an escarpment walking track.
The company has retained its Environment Protection Authority licence until Wollongong City Council would in the future take over responsibility for environmental regulation of the site.