COMMUNITY FEEDBACK BEHIND WATERFRONT DECISION

Shellharbour City Council is exploring alternative sites for the proposed Waterfront Centre at Shell Cove following community feedback.

Council unanimously voted 8-0 to pause planning on the location of the two-storey community building, known as The Waterfront Centre.

The community was engaged in October regarding their preference for the location of The Waterfront Centre with 80 per cent preferring for it to be located on either Location B, known as D4 next to the Woolworths car park, or a different location entirely.

“Our community engagement process revealed a significant preference to shift the Waterfront Centre to an alternate site,” Deputy Mayor Kellie Marsh said.

“Council is responding to a clear message from the community that they value the green space.”

Councillors also voted to retain the green space and investigate options to protect the land from being sold and retain it in Council’s ownership for community use in perpetuity.

A site at the corner of Harbour and Cove Boulevard in Shell Cove, which was presented during community consultation will be revisited after receiving favourable feedback.

Community engagement also identified a second location for further consideration, which involves redevelopment of the existing Shellharbour Village Library and Theatre sites to potentially deliver a multi-purpose community cultural precinct.

The original Waterfront Centre design featured a library, Visitor Information Centre, community spaces and public amenities.

It was planned to replace the Shellharbour Village Library and Visitor Information Centre to meet the needs of the growing community.

For more information please contact:
Melissa Ritchie – Shellharbour City Council 0467 250 884 mediaenquiries@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au