Thirroul residents have welcomed a move by Wollongong City Council to limit development in the area - but they aren't convinced it will solve traffic woes.
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On Monday night the council voted to develop a Thirroul town centre plan and conduct a Thirroul heritage review of buildings and streetscapes.
Councillor Mithra Cox put the motion. She said current planning controls in Thirroul were not working, and the suburb risked being dominated by "charmless townhouses," in addition to extreme traffic congestion.
Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery agreed. "Local character and identity is something to be treasured," he said.
Councillor Ann Martin said she was frustrated to see Thirroul pushed to the front of the planning queue.
"We know there's an issue and I feel for the people of Thirroul, but we can't let emotion override the technical concerns," she said.
"We've done town centre studies for Figtree, Unanderra and Corrimal, next in line should be Windang. To fast-track Thirroul sends the message we're going to put the brakes on everywhere."
Cr Martin said she did not think it was fair for development in Thirroul to be treated differently to development in other suburbs like Port Kembla, but Cr Cox said there was an argument for Thirroul to be considered earlier than planned.
"Wentworth Street is not at risk of the wrecking ball next week, that's the difference," she said.
Resident Rose Pieiga has lived in the area for 25 years.
She says she would like to see elements of heritage kept, but she doesn't think curtailing development will help Thirroul's traffic congestion problem.
"The traffic has gone crazy since the Sea Cliff Bridge and headlands opened," she said.
"I don't oppose new buildings, but I do like to keep the old as well."
Nardin Haynes, owner of Luca Luna, agreed.
"There's no avoiding the congestion because it's a beautiful area and people want to visit," she said.
"But I hope it doesn't become another contemporary beachside suburb with no character."
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