Not-for-profit organisation Anglicare is proposing changes to the 2006 NSW Government approved concept plan for the former Cookson Plibrico site at Bulli. 

Their planned retirement living village with 148 apartments and 80-bed residential aged care home will be located on the southern section of the site.

Anglicare previously planned to locate the aged care home in the north precinct.

Anglicare says the proposed modifications don't affect the number of residents or the development’s floor area.

The organisation also says the turpentine forest on the north-west of the site would continue to be protected from development, and an Aboriginal archaeological area beside Cooksons Creek would also be protected.

“Although the proposed changes are minor, we understand that any kind of development may impact our neighbours,” Anglicare’s general manager property Peter Paltoo said. 

“That’s why we would like to hear any questions the community may have.”

Under the proposal, the northern part of the site (‘Hilltop’ and ‘Ocean View’ precincts) would be used in future for medium density homes of up to two storeys.

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Bulli's Jill Walker had concerns regarding the project, saying many residents weren't aware of the potential impacts of the changes. 

Mrs Walker said it would create further problems around an existing traffic bottleneck, and that the community was “owed“ a comprehensive Traffic Study by independent road safety experts. 

“This proposal raises many issues including overcrowding on a known floodplain, but a large impact will be increased traffic,” she said. 

“Not only will hundreds of cars be using the site, but Anglicare plans to build a north-south access with a bridge over Tramway Creek - off-set by the profit from 60 private townhouses."

The Cookson Plibrico site at Geraghty Street, Bulli was vacated in 2013 after the company relocated to Port Kembla.

A number of derelict warehouses and other industrial structures remain on the 8.1-hectare property.

The former Cookson Plibrico site is covered by a concept plan approved in 2006.

The Sandon Point Concept Plan was approved by the Minister for Planning in 2006 for land at Sandon Point comprising a residential subdivision (for Stockland) and retirement development (for Anglicare). 

The approved concept plan allows for the following development of the Anglicare lands: a residential aged care facility up to four storeys containing up to 120 beds; a mix of apartment buildings of up to three storeys containing up to 250 independent living units; and Community facilities and services to support residents of the retirement village, and more. 

This approval is still current. However, Anglicare is seeking a modified approval. 

“In the years since it was granted, the needs of the Illawarra community in relation to retirement living have changed,” an Anglicare community letter states. 

Anglicare plans to submit their application to the Department of Planning & Environment in August.

Community consultation sessions will take place at Thirroul District Community Centre on Wednesday from 5pm-8pm and Saturday from 11am-2pm. 

You can also have your say here. 

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