Earlier this year council put a draft planning proposal on public exhibition.

The proposal looked to rezone the land from industrial to residential and establish development controls, not to give permission for any redevelopment to take place.

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Council papers stated there were 530 submissions from community members.

Of those 312 were in support, with just 60 outright opposed to the rezoning plan. However more than 200 respondents did express a concern with an aspect of the plan without agreeing or objecting overall.

The issue of the Illawarra Coke Company (ICC) re-developing the cokeworks site has been running for several years, with councillors concerned about the number of homes the developer planned for the site.

First it was 736 dwellings, then it went up to as many as 760 before councillors told them to cut more than 200 dwellings.

The developers revised the plans, bringing it down to 585 dwellings but council amended the draft proposal to place a cap of 550 dwellings.

Further restrictions in the draft proposal include a maximum height of 15 metres and that 6.5 per cent of properties on the site be made available for affordable rental housing.

The major issue of community concern was the risk of traffic congestion or gridlock along Railway Street leading to Memorial Drive.

"Feedback centred on frustration with the current road infrastructure and traffic being experienced, especially in peak hours and when the boom gates are closed to allow trains to pass," the council papers stated.

"This then translates into fear that a new development of this size, reliant on the one roundabout access point, will result in gridlock on Railway Street, possibly accidents in the proximity of the rail crossing, and an unsafe environment for pedestrians and cyclists."

There was also concern expressed about a development of 550 dwellings having just one entry and exit point.

That was shared by Transport for NSW, which felt a "car-oriented development" at the cokeworks was "inappropriate".

"Furthermore, the proposed road infrastructure upgrades on Memorial Drive would simply transfer congestion concerns to other points on the surrounding road network and as such would not be the best way to achieve good transport outcomes for future residents of this site and the wider Corrimal community," the Transport for NSW submission stated.

It also called for better links between the train station and the site, as well as a pedestrian bridge over the rail line.

Neighbourhood Forum 4 welcomed the potential for new residents but also had fears about traffic congestion, particularly around the single entry/exit point.

It also recommended limiting the amount of retail on-site so as not to compete with the Corrimal town centre.

The Corrimal Chamber of Commerce said it would provide "a much needed cash injection" as well as increased employment opportunities.

Also, Heritage NSW is considering placing a State Heritage listing over the entire site.

This was separate from the draft planning proposal and is on exhibition until November 11.

If that listing is accepted, Heritage NSW approval will be required for any development application.

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