ffiffiMw llilouritx

City debate a good signTN the past few weeks a debateIregarding the future of the citycentre ofWollongong has beenunder way in the media. I see thisas a reallygood sign.

The planning strategies aimedat revitalising the city centre areall about what sort ofplace thecommunity wants so there shouldbe a healthy community debateabout the future ofthe city centre.

As someone who was privilegedto be involved in putting togetherthe strategies, I should like topresent a point ofview - one thatwill hopefully eneourage furtherdiscussion.

It appears that claims have beenmade thatthe previous "planningteam" got it wrong in terms ofdeveloping a way forward for thecity centre. Some of thecommentary has suggested we hadfixed views. Our views about theoutcome were not flrxed but wewere certainly committed to aprofessional, open andparticipative process. I would urgeyou to considerthe following:

The stratery that is now outthere for communityconsideration was developedthrough a process ofthoroughprofessional study, investigationand ongoing consultation. In factthe council and state agencieshave contributed something like$500,0fi)towards a series olinvestigations aimed atdeveloping an economieallyviable approach which integratedbuiltform (height and shape),

public domain (streetscape andopen space), transport, parkingand accessibility strategies. In theprocess we sought the advice ofsome ofthe most experiencedpractitioners available.

Butmoreimportantthanthe . ..

expert contributions is the fact :,":that the vision and strategiesdeveloped for wider publiccomrnent were based on viewscontributed by a huge range ofthecity's stakeholders.

That occurred in a number ofways: via the wider WollongongFutures proeess ofsurveys andworkshops, a specifrc three-daycity ceptre workshop, alongwithnumerous specialist workshopsabout building economics,building design, traffic andtransport. In addition, the widelyrepresentative centralWollongong planning committeeand the council itselfendorsed thestrategies for exhibition.

Views were actively sought allalong the way and the strate$r wasalso informed by insights gainedfrom urban design studiesundertaken by developers duringthe study period. In effect, it wasroad tested for market realitiesalongthe way.

The values expressed in thoseprocesses were translated intostrategies and developmentcontrols about height and form ofthe city, the waythe streets couldlook, alongwith some importantdirections to improve movementand accessibility in the city.

Some ofthe strongestsentiments were for a city centrethat finds a way to respondtq theunique qualities of th6 lllari,6rra:landsc.ffd, ratherthan dominate itand forth€ cityto maintain itshuman scale. r i.

tt "vp"ouiO" "

,orndbi,.it fo"discussion. However, it appearsthat the debate has turned into'anargumentbeingled by some,''interests that the "plan" does not ,

represent the economic realitiesof Wollongong and higherbuildings should be allowed.

An underlying reason forthis-point of view might be based onthe reality that for some time therehas been a highly speculativeproperty market in Wollongong..Insimple terms, some people havepaid high prices for land with theexpectation that they could do adeal and realise their individualambitions, not necessarily thevision expressed bythe draftstratery.

Another simple fact that seemsto have been overlooked is that thecontrols presented in the draftdocuments actually provide theopportunity for at least 30 yearsgrowth, if not more.

At this point in time tfrere islittle point in a few peopleprofitingwith windfalls from bigdevelopments, sucking up thedemand in'a few sites at theexpense of others. For some timethere has been evidence that therewas an oversupply ofstock in themarket. Why aggravate the

problem by accedingto theseelaims? The main issue here isshorl-term opportunism by a fewversus long-term place makingresults for.broad communitybqnefit.'It is importantto recognisethat

the documents on display areabout more than building height,although the underlyingprinciples of view-sharing andeconomic sustainability relatedirectly to building height.

The proposed plan includes anarray ofstrategiesto help makethe city centre of Wollongong avibrant, attractive and dynamicplace. As one participant said: "Ifwe want to be a city - we need tolive like a city". To me that meansensuring there is a healthycommunity discussion about whatsort of city you want, thentranslating that into planningcontrols and complementarystrategies"to get you there.

An important part of realisingthe vision will be having aninvestment communityand .

political leaders that are matureenough to work with long-termvision, seeingthe value in buildinga city with character and charm -not one based on self-interest.

Finally, thankyou to thecortmunity of Wollongong forallowingmeto make acontribution to your wonderfulcity, and good luck.tr Dr Mike MouriE is the formerWollongong City Council environmentand planningdirector.

IOMORROT'U

Webrlte: www.i|lawarrarnercury.com.au