Council, residents slam plans for five high-rise buildings on former Bunnings site

Key points

• Wollongong City Council has strongly objected to plans for five residential and retail buildings on the former North Wollongong Bunnings site, saying the height and density are excessive. Of 70 submissions received during a three-week public exhibition, 65 were objections.
• The proposal includes buildings up to 36 storeys and 1260 apartments, 190 of them affordable. Residents and the action group Wrong for the Gong raised concerns about overshadowing, traffic, flooding and strain on local infrastructure.
• The developer has until 7 December to respond before the state planning department makes recommendations to the Planning Minister.