Legacy Property Plots Corrimal Coke Works Transformation

Once a part of the NSW heavy industry sector, a 550-home community is being planned for the former Corrimal Coke Works site.

Legacy Property joined Illawarra Coke Company for stage one of the development that has a $75-million capital investment value.

The plans were lodged with the Wollongong City Council, part of a 18.1ha development.

The application shows five apartment buildings each of four storeys for the 2.52ha portion at the northern end of 27 Railway Street, Corrimal.

This would create space for 181 apartments with basement parking underneath and would be constructed in three sub-stages.

There would also be a new road, 2761sq m of private open space and 3630sq m of publicly accessible space.

▲ A render of the proposed stage for the former coke works by DKO Architects.

The former coke works operated from 1912 to 2014. Plans to develop the site had been in the works since 2017.

“Existing structures from the former Corrimal Coke Works have been carefully considered and re-adapted into a heritage plaza,” DKO Architects said.

“Key elements such as ovens and chimneys have been retained, which form a part of the proposed Heritage DA stage of the project.”

The bigger site would have 9ha of public parkland, a pedestrian walkway, retail elements, a heritage precinct and a diverse range of housing.

▲ The project masterplan for Corrimal Coke Works urban renewal with stage one indicated in blue.

“The proposal will deliver a vibrant and contemporary residential-led urban renewal that celebrates the site’s industrial history,” the planning report by Urbis said.
 
“[It] leverages its highly accessible and strategic location with proximity to the Corrimal town centre and local amenities and services.”

The Illawarra Coke Company also aquired the Coalcliffe Coke Works, 118ha property intersected by the South Coast railway, which it bought from Rio Tinto in 1996.

The company indicated the majority of this land would be dedicated to conservation with a small portion given over to development.