Shellharbour council is set to adopt a new vision for how it will develop over the next 20 years, as the city gains about 20,000 residents and requires more than 10,000 new homes.
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At Tuesday's meeting, councillors will consider the Local Strategic Planning Statement, which is required by the NSW Government and determines the priorities and development goals between now and 2040.
Once adopted, the document will guide the council's rules for developers, and spending on infrastructure and services.
The statement projects that the city will need an additional 10,625 dwellings, which must meet the demand for choice and diversity in the type of homes.
It says the number of people aged over 60 will increase by 50%, while the number of children is expected to increase by almost 25%.
"The increasing and changing population will influence planning for schools, organised sports and youth and aged services and facilities we offer, to ensure reasonable access for people at all stages of their lives," the council says.
"The growing population will also require new workplaces and investment in transport, services, green spaces and community facilities to ensure we can maintain and enhance the current standard of liveability and lifestyle that our LGA offers."
The council says there is enough residential zoned land to provide for the projected demands over the next 20 years, but that the council needs to find ways to deliver greater diversity in housing and more affordable housing within this land.
This could include "up-zoning" some areas, in Albion Park, Oak Flats and Shellharbour Junction, to allow higher density homes to be built near transport hubs.
The draft statement was put on on exhibition, with most people supporting the measures proposed.
One resident said they hoped it would lead to "a place where families can stay and afford to live, a place where you can stay local for work, where you can access all supports locally."
Others hoped for "Lifestyle for everyone. No more Lego land" and said "We need more trees on nature strips as well as plants on grass traffic islands to make our area less of a heat sink during warmer months."
Mayor Marianne Saliba said the plan would allow Shellharbour to grow, but maintain its existing character and lifestyle.
"While change and growth are occurring, I am mindful of the things about Shellharbour City that we love and want to remain, including our character, community identity and lifestyle," she said.
"Council is working hard to make sure that growth and change are handled appropriately and the things we love about Shellharbour City are reflected in our planning for the future."
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.
