Dapto could soon have its very first high-rise apartment building, with developers unveiling plans to dramatically transform the town centre.
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In a plan lodged late last year with Wollongong City Council, developer P Hadley Holdings has proposed to redevelop the old Dapto Hotel site on the Princes Highway.
The existing structures at 98-110 Princes Highway, except for the heritage hotel, would be razed to make way for two nine-storey apartment towers.
The demolition site includes shops, restaurants and cafes on the highway.
If approved, the new buildings would house 52-apartments and three commercial premises, with parking over three levels for 120 cars.
The new block would be located next to Aldi with parts of the complex facing Osborne Street and Bong Bong Road.
In their submission to council, the developers note the buildings will be the first of their kind, but have also foreshadowed that more development of a similar height could be built in the future.
"The architectural and landscape design quality is of a high standard to ensure that the development will make a positive contribution to the locality, being the first of its kind in the redevelopment of the area," the plans said.
"The development will provide additional commercial and retail floorspace to strengthen the role and function of the Dapto Town Centre, as well as much needed housing supply to meet the needs of the community."
Under council strategies and the NSW Government's Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan, Dapto is considered a regionally-significant centre with strong links to the booming West Dapto housing development area.
Several groups have been trying to develop apartment housing in the town centre in recent years, with projects by the Illawarra Housing Trust and the Dapto Showground owners in the pipeline.
The former organisation has been trying to redevelop the old Dapto Public School site at Byamee Street for years, originally proposing seven four-to-six storey apartment blocks.
A concept plan for this lodged in 2016 was initially rejected. However, the project was approved last year, with amendments allowing six three-to-four storey buildings, after a land and environment court ruling.
The plans for 98-110 Princes Highway are on exhibition until January 29.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
