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Steelmaker BlueScope has unveiled a rezoning proposal for a site near Wollongong about the size of Monaco.
The project to develop 200ha of surplus land at its Port Kembla steelworks has been in progress since BlueScope released its masterplan in 2023, outlining the future of the site.
Earlier this year, the NSW Government announced plans for the Wollongong suburb would be fast-tracked so the area could be redeveloped to attract high-tech businesses.
Now, the rezoning plans have been revealed for a “future-focused hub” that would support 19,400 full-time jobs in the Illawarra region.
BlueScope is “planning for the next century”, it said, having lodged the planning proposal under the state-assessed rezoning proposal pathway this month.
Alongside its masterplan, by Ethos Urban, it seeks to amend the statutory planning framework and convert the heavy industrial-zoned land into a bespoke Enterprise Zone.
It would also have local land use permissibility “to enable the development of a strategically important site”.
The rezoning would facilitate the provision of further local public services, it said.
The proposal, which applies to four sub-precincts along Five Islands Road, aims to increase potential floor space for employment uses.
Historic buildings at the 100-year-old steelmaking site would be preserved and existing structures would be reused where feasible.
Residential development within the precinct is not being considered, but the project aims to provide opportunities for emerging business sectors at Wollongong focusing on advanced manufacturing, technology and renewable energy.
BlueScope’s proposal added the project “aims to support the ongoing viability of steelmaking in Port Kembla”.
The wider steelworks is spread over 760ha of land across Port Kembla and Springhill. Operations will continue with existing infrastructure and transport supporting the new development.
The rezoning proposals are on exhibition until October 2.
The precinct, 5km south of Wollongong CBD and 70km south of the Sydney CBD, is near Cringila, Port Kembla North and Port Kembla stations.
By 2046, the local government area (LGA) of Wollongong is forecast to have a population of about 292,000, an increase of 77,000 people.
According to BlueScope’s plans, Wollongong has a younger population, relatively higher income and is more culturally diverse compared to other LGAs within the region. Its demographic mix is changing as homebuyers are forced out of Sydney.
