Wollongong councillors have agreed to pay Wollongong Coal more than $1.5 million for several parcels of West Dapto mining land, to allow a main access road in the fast-growing housing development area to be upgraded.
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In a confidential debate on Monday night, councillors signed off on proposal to allow general manager Greg Doyle to negotiate with the coal company over the purchase of its land.
Councillors voted to pay between $3000 and $920,000 for various parcels of land owned by Wollongong Coal, surrounding its shuttered Wongawilli Colliery.
If negotiations fail, the council will move to compulsory acquisition of the land, under its powers within the Local Government and Roads act.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the land was vital to allow the council to upgrade Shone Avenue infrastrcuture, which is a major connector road for new housing estates.
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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.
