Wollongong residents oppose apartment complex near Belmore Basin

In 2019 a development application was lodged with Wollongong City Council for an eight-storey apartment complex on a block on the corner of Smith and Harbour streets.

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The block is now occupied by a two-storey 1930s era apartment block known as Marlene Court.

At the time residents formed the Save Our Heritage Precinct group to fight the planned development.

A council report said that more than 100 residents objected to the development, citing concerns with the building's footprint and impact on the heritage-filled harbour area.

In July last year, the Wollongong Local Planning Panel rejected the development proposal.

The case then went to the Land and Environment Court and in conciliation, the developer was able to resubmit plans for the development.

The new plans would see a six-storey building with five residential apartments - the penthouse being on two levels.

All-up the building will measure 18.25 metres above ground level, which would be below the maximum allowable height limit of 24 metres.

"The proposed development has made reasonable design consideration to ensure impacts are minimised," the statement of environmental effects read.

That document also noted that there were eight and 10-storey buildings quite close to the site.

It also claimed it was "in keeping with the desired future character of Wollongong city centre, and in particular aspirations for buildings and streetscapes of high-quality design".

Jane Robertson was one of those originally opposed to the development and she said the newly revised plans did not go far enough.

"Although the effort is appreciated to make it less bulky and looming, it will however, continue to stand too close to the street without the setbacks the rest of the street has," Ms Robertson said.

"We think they're trying to squash a building on a site that's just too small for a building of that height.

"It will continue to loom, even though the resubmitted plans are less than they were before.

"Even though they have tried to reduce that bulk, I don't think it's sufficient."

In reference to the footprint, the statement of environmental effects noted that "the building envelope of the existing Marlene Court two-storey block flats, landscaped area and driveways to the garages on Harbour Street cover a large portion of the site."

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