Draft Crown Reserves Plan of Management (PoM) for 32 Crown Reserves

The Draft Crown Reserves Plan of Management is on Wollongong Council’s website and includes: Proud Park, Helensburgh; Helensburgh Flora and Fauna Reserve; Helensburgh & District Historical Mine Museum; Patrick McCarthy Hall, Helensburgh (Hall destroyed by fire); Helensburgh Pre-school; Helensburgh Community Hall; Helensburgh Baby Health Centre; Helensburgh Proposed Pound Site; Darkes Forest; Otford Park.

Please note: the Draft Crown Reserves PoM is a generic PoM and does not include Charles Harper or Rex Jackson parks. There is a draft Helensburgh Park Crown Reserves PoM that Council referred to the Minister in July 2022 that is still under review.

Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Conflict of Interest) Regulation

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Conflict of Interest) Regulation 2023 is now on Wollongong Council’s website and council is asking the public to provide comments.

Sri Venkateswara Temple Event

NF1 contacted Council about complaints from local residents regarding a festival at Helensburgh’s  Sri Venkateswara Temple in April, particularly in relation to traffic, fireworks and crowd numbers. Council staff met Temple representatives to discuss impacts. Issues raised by TfNSW highlighted concerns with the adequacy of the Traffic Guidance Scheme. Temple representatives were given guidance for future events and advised to liaise with TfNSW re traffic management, discuss events with council staff early on to ensure compliance, start early engagement with stakeholders and seek approval from the local traffic committee.

Helensburgh Bike Tracks Closed

National Parks & Wildlife Service found asbestos in-fill on tracks at Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park. Council is working with Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club to resolve the issue. There will be monitoring of air and soil around the site.

Helensburgh Memorial Swimming Pool

Council will start the upgrade.

169 Walker St Development Application

A development application has been lodged with Council for 169 Walker St, Helensburgh. The DA is seeking approval for the construction of an industrial park with 15 units. Submissions closed in early May but Council accepts submissions until a decision is made and this DA should go before Wollongong Local Planning Panel (WLPP). DA was exhibited after the April NF1 meeting and closed for submission before the May meeting.

Meeting closed 7.45pm to allow attendees to drive home before the closure of Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Stanwell Tops for road maintenance.

Next meeting 7pm Wednesday, 14 June at Otford Community Hall.