Picture by Adam McLeanKorean and Japanese restaurant Jin's Place has expanded out of Thirroul with a new restaurant opening in Fairy Meadow this month
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the popular restauranteur Jinsu Kim's new outlet was forced to shut briefly
with an electrical issue prompting him to call NSW Fire and Rescue late on Saturday night
After finishing the last orders on April 26
Mr Kim noticed the lights flickering in the restaurant
I could see the emergency light coming together," he said
"I went outside to check it and then wow."
Picture by Adam McLeanMr Kim could see smoking coming from the external switchboard
and after calling his wife and business partner Kristy
otherwise the fire would have gone up and I couldn't have opened today," he said
after what he calls a rare three-day "holiday"
I just said 'we will be all right' because the community
that makes me feel like many people are supporting me
Fire and Rescue NSW arrived in "five minutes". Picture suppliedA dream to expand furtherMr Kim first opened a store in Corrimal in 2021, before moving to Thirroul in 2023
Despite the success of the northern suburbs restaurant
Mr Kim missed being closer to the centre of Wollongong
a second Jin's Place opened in Fairy Meadow
I started the business in Corrimal and it's close to Wollongong and Corrimal," he said
"Many people can't come to Thirroul because of the heavy traffic
"My dream has always been to open three shops."
The plan was to open a restaurant in Calderwood, at the Calderwood Village Shopping Centre
but delays in construction meant Mr Kim was left waiting
and somebody suggested this spot [in Fairy Meadow] and I was happy with it and could start straight away."
Mr Kim said Kristy had designed the interior of the Fairy Meadow restaurant after he admitted he wasn't "very good" at the "design thing"
but Kristy wanted to make it more roomy and cozy feeling
The menu is the same as the Thirroul restaurant with only minor differences
which Mr Kim said is just due to slight differences in demographics
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, covering business and entertainment most of the time. Got a tip? Send it to me at joel.ehsman@austcommunitymedia.com.au. He/Him
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Pictures by NSW PoliceA gun stuffed inside a sock and shoved into a backpack has been found metres from sports grounds and Fairy Meadow Surf Club
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe weapon was found by a 37-year-old man who was at Thomas Dalton Park for a sports match
He first noticed a grey-coloured Puma backpack and picked it up to try and find out who owned it
"A search of the backpack revealed a black pistol wrapped in a sock inside a clear zip-lock resealable bag," a NSW Police spokesperson said
police are calling for information about the weapon
"The man reported the find to officers from Wollongong Police District, who commenced an investigation into the find," the spokesperson said.
"The pistol was subject to a forensic examination by specialist police."
As police inquiries continue they have urged anyone with information about the firearm to call Wollongong Police Station on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Picture by ACMA carpenter accused of leaving a pedestrian in the middle of the road with critical injuries after allegedly hitting him at Fairy Meadow has made a bid to relax his bail conditions
Mr Spano suffered serious head and chest injuries and remained at Liverpool Hospital for at least six weeks to undergo rehabilitation for a brain injury
Police released CCTV of the utility a month after the incident in hopes of identifying the driver and told reporters Mr Spano will require medical assistance for the rest of his life.
Seymour was arrested and charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm
failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm
was granted police bail and faced Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday
Defence lawyer Richard McDonald made an application to adjust Seymour's curfew
submitting that he has complied with his strict conditions since being charged
An image of a white ute police released last November in hopes of identifying the driver
Picture by NSWPFPolice prosecutor Zane Barron opposed the variation
noting there had already been a relaxation in a condition requiring Seymour to report to police
He noted Seymour did not have a lengthy criminal record but said the allegations before the court were serious
Magistrate Malcolm Thomas agreed and suggested another application could be made following further evidence of compliance with bail conditions
it is a serious matter," the magistrate said
The matter will return to court on February 19
The news brought plenty of excitement from the residents in the northern suburbs
if the Mercury's Facebook page was any indication
But the chain appears to have abandoned those plans, perhaps because it landed a location in the Wollongong CBD and opted to set up there instead
Some new documents were lodged with Wollongong City Council as part of the development application - and they no longer show an El Jannah restaurant at the Princes Highway-Kingsford Street corner
What they do show is a different brand of fast-food chicken - Oporto
An image of the proposed Oporto looks identical to the now apparently scrapped El Jannah; the car park is in the same location and the drive-through runs around the northern side of the restaurant
In fact it looks like all that has been changed is the El Jannah logos have been removed and replaced with those from Oporto
The Mercury has contacted El Jannah and Oporto's parent company Craveable Brands
as well as the developer to get to the bottom of the switch but is yet to hear back
The updated documents included flood studies
one of which found the roof of the existing home on the site was not connected to any drainage
That meant rainwater from the roof just seeped away through the ground
Design changes would see the Oporto outlet connected to underground drainage
A flood study stated the restaurant was designed as "a partially suspended structure" to deal with flooding levels at the site
there would be no fencing on the western and southern boundaries while the fences on the north and east sides would feature a flap at the base to allow flood water to freely flow underneath
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe 45-year-old was on board the bus when he stumbled and fell
with his arm left trapped between a bus seat and the vehicle's internal wall
A man, who is allegedly heavily intoxicated, lying on a footpath after he was rescued from a bus in Fairy Meadow on Monday, December 16, 2024. Picture by Robert PeetThe bus pulled over at Elliotts Road at 2.32pm on Monday, December 16, and Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Wollongong Station were called to help free the man's stuck arm.
"They had to use a spreader to create a gap big enough to release the arm," FRNSW Inspector Andrew Erlik said.
"He was reportedly very drunk and fell down and wedged his arm."
The man has been removed from the bus and was last seen lying on the footpath outside a beauty salon with paramedics and firefighters still at the scene.
Picture by Adam McLeanCustomers looking for a Happy Meal in Fairy Meadow will need to venture further out for the next few months
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueMcDonalds at Fairy Meadow is currently closed as renovations are underway
the drive-thru remained open for business while the restaurant was closed but it is now also shut
The renovations have been on the cards since December 2023
when a development application was submitted to Wollongong City Council seeking "alterations and additions" to the fast-food restaurant
The renovations will include a new exterior
Also planned is a dedicated partner delivery room
Fairy Meadow McDonald's operation manager Elder Ornelas said the renovation will create "over 110 jobs for local construction workers and restaurant employees"
"We appreciate our customers' patience over the coming months and look forward to welcoming them to the newly refurbished McDonald's Fairy Meadow," Mr Ornelas said
The refurbishment is part of McDonald's national commitment to open 100 new restaurants and remodel half of its existing restaurants by the end of 2025
Fairy Meadow Maccas is expected to be closed until November 2
If you're desperate for McNuggets before then the Figtree
Wollongong and Woonona McDonald's remain open
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Grove Academy has lodged a development application for a new centre with Wollongong City Council
The group already has 13 facilities in Sydney and the Illawarra
Dapto and a new centre at Shell Cove due to open next year
The 95-place centre at Fairy Meadow is proposed for the corner of the Princes Highway and Florence Street
"The proposed childcare centre will encompass two storeys," according to the statement of environmental effects lodged as part of the application
while simulated outdoor play space is provided on the ground floor level and an outdoor play space on the first-floor level."
The 95 spaces would break down into 20 for children aged 0-2
35 for two-to-three-year-olds and 40 for three to five-year-olds
The ground floor outdoor play area will be 142 square metres while a much larger one - measuring 525 square metres - would be built on the first floor
A traffic study lodged as part of the application claimed the centre "has minimal impacts to future traffic flows" and the Princes Highway-Florence Street intersection would still operate at a satisfactory level
Vehicle access to the centre would be via Florence Street
with the current driveway on the Princes Highway to be closed
Fifteen parking spaces for staff will be provided on-site and 13 for visitors
That is below the requirements of the Wollongong Local Environment Plan
and a variation request notes some staff may choose to use bus stops nearby
some of the spaces rely on stacked parking
which would not be supported by the council
"There is an identified need for a stacked car parking arrangement to meet the demand for parking generated by the proposed use," the application's variation request stated
"The proposed arrangement of stacked spaces does not require more than one vehicle to move or to shift onto a public street to provide egress
Stacked spaces that will be 'blocked in' will only be used by staff limiting car movement."
The development application is on public exhibition until November 25
Fairy Meadow where he's set up a Christmas lights display
Picture by Adam McLeanIf you're looking for a white Christmas this year
Brian Street in Fairy Meadow is perhaps the closest you'll get without an overseas trip
has stepped up his game for 2024 with a snow machine
but the bubble mixture provides all the magic you need to feel just a little bit like you're having a snowy Christmas
Mr Triantafillou expects hundreds to visit his home over the coming weeks after building a reputation for being one of the best light displays in the Illawarra over the years
visitors can scan a QR code and choose a song to which the lights will dance in time
Mr Triantafillou said there was a surprise favouriteBruno Mars and Rosie's Apt
"Usually every year it's the Bluey theme song
and Imagine Dragon's Believer is among the most popular tunes to play
followed by Let It Go from Frozen and the BowserPeaches song from the Super Mario Bros movie
Plan your Christmas lights route using the map below:
In his sixth year of organising the lights
Mr Triantafillou said he's managed to streamline the process of building the set
it usually takes about two weeks to get everything up and just two days to bring it back down
he said two 30kg spotlights on his roof have been up all year
The light show will run until December 31 this year before Mr Triantafillou has a well-earned rest
What are you doing on Christmas Eve or what are you doing on this day
I'll be at home making sure no one is stealing my lights and making sure they all work," he said
Mr Triantafillou's commitment to making Christmas special inspired his neighbour to help
and they are now providing a sausage sizzle to hungry visitors with donations going to the Cancer Council
the friendly neighbourhood Spiderman will also be there to take photographs with visitors
The lights will be switched on at Brian Street each day from 7pm
but visitors are warned they look at their best after 8.30pm
They are turned off at 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays
You can donate to the Christmas Lights fundraiser here.
after seeing multiple patients with symptoms indicating poisoning from a common additive
the common supplement can cause a condition called peripheral neuropathy
which is usually reversible but may cause permanent damage to people who have been taking too much B6 long-term
"This is something that's been on the radar of GPs and probably obstetricians as well long term
because B6 is used therapeutically for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy," Dr McCullough said
"It's used at reasonably moderate to high doses but it's only for the short term
so you don't sort of tend to see a lot of side effects or toxicity with the short-term use."
"But what we're seeing more recently is that people are taking supplements that they've bought over the counter at the chemist or at the supermarket
and B6 is being added to lots of different things
"They don't realise that it's in multiple supplements they're taking
so they end up taking a dose that can be many times over the recommended levels."
She said she had seen several pregnant patients taking a prenatal multivitamin combined with other supplements to help with sleep or muscle aches
"The culprit that I've seen in a few people recently is a magnesium supplement
where the name of it might be magnesium plus or muscle support or sleep support," Dr McCullough said
"It's only when you go to look at the really fine print that it does have B6 in it."
Dr McCullough said vitamin B6 - which is necessary for cognitive function - was also present in products like weight-loss shakes
which meant many people were getting much more than they needed
"The recommended dietary intake of B6 is about 1 mg for kids and then less than 2 mg for adults
which I'd say nearly everyone would get way more than that in their diet," she said
but 99% of people get B vitamins from their diet
You could have your Vegemite on toast and that would be enough."
"The only B vitamin that some people won't get enough of is B12
so vegans will need B12 supplementation a lot of the time."
According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) peripheral neuropathy is a known side effect of vitamin B6
Because of an increased number of presentations of this condition in recent years
medicines containing daily doses above 10 mg require a warning
The warning says people must "stop taking this medication if you experience tingling
burning or numbness and see your healthcare practitioner as soon as possible"
There are three forms of vitamin B6 available in products
and it may be listed as pyridoxine hydrochloride
pyridoxal 5-phosphate or pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate
Using the common name 'vitamin B6' is optional except when it is required as part of the peripheral neuropathy warning statement
Dr McCullough said many over-the-counter vitamin supplements could have unwanted or dangerous side-effects
"There's lots of ingredients in over the counter medications that can interact with prescribed medications
and and just by themselves in high doses aren't safe," she said
"People don't even think to mention to their doctor that they're taking these things
because a lot of people don't think of them as medications
"So I would advise anyone to check the ingredients of anything that you're going to buy and discuss it with your doctor
particularly if you're on prescribed medications or have other ongoing health concerns
"If you have been taking these things and you have symptoms
"There are certain vitamins and things that can cause liver and kidney damage
particularly if they're combined or taken sort of for the long term that can cause long term harm
"Nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy is supposedly reversible
particularly if it's only taken in the short term but I've seen stories of people who've taken it for years not realising
and then they're finding that once they're stopping it
they're actually not getting that much improvement in their symptoms."
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2011, I'm an award-winning reporter who has helped the paper set the news agenda across our region for more than a decade.
Picture by Adam McLean"What are we having for dinner?" is that pesky question that plagues us all
we have a bit of a rush hour as people come past to pick up food from our fridges," the shop's owner
"We always thought opening a shop would go well
but I probably didn't realise that our fridge - which has all the pasta
chicken to take home - would be so popular
One of the paninis on offer at Villa D'Oro
Picture by Adam McLean"You get the parents on the school run
the husbands coming in after they finish work
Villa D'Oro - previously a long-running Flinders Street weddings and function centre, now a large hole in the ground - moved to its Princes Highway shop a year ago and is celebrating that milestone this weekend
Mr Guido's shift away from formal events after 20 years came when the landlord of the function centre sold up to make way for apartments
After running a thriving take-home and catering business during COVID lockdowns
he and his family decided to try something new
which includes menu items inspired by Villa D'Oro's neighbours
In addition to catering lunches and dinners and making trays of eat-at-home meals for hungry families
the shop-front sells homemade paninis and coffee for takeaway
Mr Guido says this has brought him new satisfaction - and a lot of early mornings - as he gets to interact with customers every day
"It's challenging times for everyone in hospitality
where before we would only see people at the big events
"Now you get to see the same faces weekly or daily
The section to the right in brown is where Harley and Johns seafood store is now located.A four-storey apartment block that will take out a popular seafood store is in line to get the thumbs up
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Southern Regional Planning Panel will make a decision on the L-shaped apartment complex
which will front both the Princes Highway and Daisy Street
it will take out the three lots immediately south of Woolworths
while in Daisy Street the development would see the demolition of the popular Harley and Johns seafood store
Store owner Grant Logue told the Mercury in 2022 he was a supporter of the proposal
"It'll freshen up the area and maybe encourage a bit more development
which may even encourage some bigger stores to come as well," he said
The proposed development includes three ground-floor commercial spaces below 36 residential apartments with two levels of parking
A council report to the planning panel recommends the development be approved subject to a range of conditions
These include a dilapidation report of adjoining buildings
that airconditioning units are not visible from the street and a developer contribution of $133,600 is paid to the council
The council report said there were initially concerns about the development being built on flood-affected land
"The site is identified as being located within an uncategorised flood risk precinct," the report stated
"Earlier designs relied upon flood barriers to repel water in the event of a flood
but the final design raises floor levels and negates the need for flood barriers
Council's stormwater engineer has no objection to the final proposed design."
When the development application was on public exhibition only two objections were lodged
Among the points raised was the issue of already congested traffic through Fairy Meadow and the possibility of the development exacerbating that
"A traffic impact assessment was provided and reviewed by council's traffic engineer and Transport for NSW," the report stated
"The proposed traffic generation is considered acceptable."
The Wollongong Local Planning Panel will meet on August 27
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueFour teenagers, two aged 14 and two aged 13, are accused of leading police on a chase in a stolen Audi overnight on Sunday, November 24.
Officers first spotted the Audi in Granville about 9.30pm, and when they put on their warning lights, the car allegedly sped away and a pursuit was initiated.
"Police will allege the car continued onto the Hume Highway and Henry Lawson Drive, Georges Hall before the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns," a NSW Police spokeswoman said.
"POLAir assisted in monitoring the car before road spikes were deployed on the Princes Motorway, Mount Ousley."
With a deflated tyre, the car allegedly left the M1 Princes Motorway and turned onto Mount Pleasant Road in Mount Pleasant. The vehicle eventually stopped on Hopewood Crescent, Fairy Meadow.
"A 14-year-old male driver and 14-year-old male passenger allegedly fled on foot down Hopewood Crescent, before being arrested nearby on Garratt Avenue, Fairy Meadow, about 10.10pm," police said.
Officers tasered one of the teenage boys who allegedly resisted arrest.
"The other two male passengers, both aged 13, locked themselves in the vehicle," the police spokeswoman said.
"Police forced entry into the car before arresting the two males."
Officers seized hammers and knives from the vehicle, which they allege were stolen.
The teens were taken to Wollongong Police Station, where the 14-year-old driver was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously; drive conveyance taken without consent of owner; and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.
The other three males were charged with being carried in conveyance and resisting arrest.
Four police officers sustained minor injuries during the arrest and did not require hospitalisation.
owner of Harley and John's seafood store in Fairy Meadow
is looking for a new shop following the approval of a new development (inset)
Main picture by Robert PeetA Fairy Meadow development that could knock out up to five businesses has been approved by Wollongong City Council
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe development will be in a dog's leg shape
with frontages on the Princes Highway and Daisy Street
It will feature 36 apartments with three ground-floor commercial spaces and basement parking for 60 cars
It went before the Wollongong Local Planning Panel in August
where a decision was deferred due to the developer needing to make alterations
including ensuring all level three clerestory windows can be opened by occupants without speciality tools or equipment
Also at least three of the two-bedroom units had to be changed into three-bedroom apartments
Those changes were made and the council approved the development on November 8
One of those businesses affected is popular seafood store Harley and John's; owner Grant Logue is supportive of the development even though it will mean he has to find a new shop
"I think development is good," Mr Logue said
but I think it is good for the whole community."
Mr Logue has 18 months to run on the lease at the Daisy Street location but is looking for a new spot
He was looking for a place with good customer parking and the space to house their storage facilities
"We've got three shipping containers on our property that we use for Christmas and Easter
so we need something where we can store them or have them internal in a warehouse," he said
it's making sure that we're in that location
if he chose to buy a new site rather than rent
then those 18 months could go very quickly
"I would prefer to get it done sooner rather than later," he sauid
"If we've actually got to build the warehouse
we've got to build it and we've got to fit it out and move
"Eighteen months is probably pushing it if we go down that path."
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueOn Saturday, August 10 couple Matt English and Kim Seet opened the doors of their standalone shop in Fairy Meadow
Mr English had been trading for the past 15 years in the Illawarra
most recently from the now-shuttered Fairy Meadow Antique Centre
Mr English and Ms Seet decided to branch out on their own
Supertrash is filled with furniture - primarily mid-century and Art Deco - as well as homewares
The warehouse space on the corner of the Princes Highway and Jardine Street is styled by Ms Seet
The shop has also partnered with tradespeople to offer timber restoration and reupholstering of old furniture
Mr English was a part-time cookery teacher at TAFE who supplemented his income buying and selling vintage items
"My love for mid-century furniture and just about anything from that period really took off," he said
It is the beauty and quality craftmanship of goods from that period that he especially appreciates
they've stood the test of time," Mr English said
Vintage furniture might have bumps and scuffs
but he said it was more sustainable than buying something mass-produced that would end up in landfill
"We both believe that buying vintage is the way of the future," Ms English said of he and Ms Seet's philosophy
Mr English honed his craft at auctions in Sydney and began selling goods through a friends' retro shop in Sydney
which gave him the confidence to keep going
He quit his teaching gig a few years ago to focus full-time on his business
which has become a "vintage supermarket" with a regular clientele ranging from an 11-year-old boy to a man in his late 80s
Mr English credits his own love of vintage and retro goods to his childhood experiences
recalling how his mother "dragged" him around to op shops when he was young
I see it as a bit of an adventure," Mr English said
he and Ms Seet woke up and said "Where are we going today to find some treasure?"
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know.
Published: 3 Mar 2025Mon 3 Mar 2025 at 1:00pm
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3 kidsThree minors filmed themselves repeatedly kicking the head of a University of Wollongong international student as he lay face down and motionless on the road
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueMeanwhile
Blake Stokes - the sole adult involved in the brutal February 22
2024 attack - chased and punched the student's friend in the head
ay I was stomping him the whole time," one of the minors bragged to another in text messages after the incident
Disturbing details of the bashing were tendered to Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday as Stokes entered guilty pleas to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm in company and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company
approached students Minh 'Adrian' Ngo and Bao Nguyen who were at the playground near the Fairy Meadow Surf Club about 9.30pm
had just gone for a beach walk and were catching up after Mr Ngo had just arrived back in Australia from Vietnam
The 15-year-old boy then kicked Mr Nguyen's backpack causing his belongings to fall out of it
The girl then repeatedly yelled out "I'm 16 ..
The 15-year-old boy then said he would call his friend to come and fight them
Mr Ngo put his hand on Mr Nguyen's shoulder and tried to gesture him away from the group
"Don't you know who I am?," the 15-year-old boy said
"Bro don't touch a chick," the girl said after Mr Nguyen swiped at her phone as he noticed she was filming the interaction
The 14-year-old then kicked Mr Ngo in the stomach
and once he was on the ground the three minors repeatedly kicked him in the head
CCTV from a nearby home captured Stokes running shirtless towards the fracas with footage from the girl's phone showing him pursuing Mr Nguyen and punching him in the head
Mr Ngo was on the road unconscious when he was kicked a further three times with such force the sound of the impact was heard on the video
come on motherf---er," one of the minor's said
The 15-year-old then stomped on Mr Ngo's head while the other boy kicked him in the face as the girl stood over him and said: "That's what you get for touching a little girl."
The group fled after Mr Nguyen ran towards a witness who was in his car nearby
Mr Ngo was rushed to Wollongong Hospital where he was intubated and placed into a coma
He was admitted to the ICU with several severe head injuries
including a fractured skull and internal haemorrhage
Mr Ngo had emergency surgery to drain the bleeding on his brain
with an MRI revealing he suffered an extremely severe traumatic brain injury
He was weaned off sedation in late March and discharged to the Liverpool Brain Injury Rehabilitation unit
The boys have pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm in company and assault
while the girl is yet to enter pleas to her charges
Picture by Robert PeetAs NSW Ambulance celebrated the official opening of a new station in Fairy Meadow
a long-time paramedic fears the station will be left understaffed
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueKeys to the new station were handed over to the 25 paramedics who will be based there a few weeks ago
with the site's official opening held to great fanfare on Thursday
Paramedic and Health Services Union (HSU) delegate Tess Oxley claims NSW Ambulance will not guarantee that two shifts during the day
and one night shift will be fully staffed during each 24-hour period
She fears because it's a new station paramedics will be pulled out of Fairy Meadow and redeployed to older stations suffering staff shortages
"It means that when someone in Fairy Meadow requires an ambulance
they might have to wait for a car to come from Helensburgh or the lower Shoalhaven to come," Ms Oxley said
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park speaking at the official opening of Fairy Meadow's new ambulance station on Thursday
Picture by Robert Peet"People don't call an ambulance for fun; they call them for health emergencies
and if we're not supplying the ambulance and paramedics for health emergencies
"The impact on the community is that they will not have the ambulance resources that we know they need."
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park was among the delegates during the official opening but declined to answer any questions about the site
a NSW Ambulance spokesman issued a statement the following day
The official opening of Fairy Meadow's new ambulance station on Thursday
Picture by Robert PeetThe spokesman declined to confirm if staff levels would be guaranteed across the four shifts and said paramedics could be moved to different locations during busy periods to deliver the best possible emergency and mobile health care for the community
"NSW Ambulance rosters above minimum staffing levels
so on-duty relief is available to address short-term unplanned leave across a zone
we employ an extra 3.275 paramedics on average across the state
which provides a pool of paramedics available to be deployed as relief crews
this additional capacity is closer to four full-time equivalent staff."
The spokesman said on-duty relief limits the need for paramedics to work overtime shifts
protecting their work-life balance and ensuring their general well-being to reduce the risk of fatigue and work-related illness and enhancing emergency response capacity across the 24/7 period
The Fairy Meadow Ambulance station is one of 54 new or refurbished stations being delivered by the NSW Government's $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program
Planning is underway for new ambulance stations at Warilla and Unanderra as part of the $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.
Top right: location of the alleged hit-and-run
map image from Google MapsThe driver of a ute allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident in Fairy Meadow has been labelled as "gutless" by a Wollongong detective
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAntonio Spano, aged 57, was walking across a pedestrian crossing on October 16
and left him with critical head and chest injuries
Six weeks after incident Mr Spano remains in hospital
police made their third public appeal to track down the driver of the ute
Police are seeking to identify a vehicle which appears in new CCTV footage released
In a press conference outside of Wollongong Police Station
Detective Chief Inspector Glen Broadhead said the injuries were "life-changing"
"He will require medical assistance for the remainder of his life," he said
"It's a terrible thing for anyone to have to go through and it's a gutless act from the driver of the car."
The car involved is described as a white four-wheel drive utility with a green canvas canopy
"Appealing to anyone that may have information ..
the dash cam of anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time," Insp Broadhead said
"We believe the driver knows full that they've collided with them," Insp Broadhead said
has left the scene; that is a really weak piece of behaviour from the driver
"It's gutless to leave the person there injured on the roadway in critical condition and have to rely on other bystanders to come to render first aid."
said the impact would be felt by the entire family
"Tony has suffered a brain injury and will now need lifetime medical care
The impact of the crash has not only been devastating for Tony but his whole family."
Insp Broadhead encouraged the driver to come forward
it is in your best interest to come forward."
dashcam footage or information who hasn't spoken to police
is urged to come forward and contact Wollongong Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
telling police "I just wanted him to turn the TV down"
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDarren Nathaniel
in their block of adjoining townhouses on Carters Lane about the loud volume of his music about 11pm on August 13
Tendered court documents state another neighbour witnessed Nathaniel slamming doors and yelling: "Turn it off
he armed himself with a bar or pole and entered his neighbour's front yard and smashed two windows
prompting the victim to open the front door and apologise
The victim ran to the back of his unit when he saw Nathaniel
who followed him inside and beat him with the weapon and struck him several times to the head
The man fell to the floor and lost consciousness
sustaining a deep 10 centimetre laceration to his forehead which bled profusely
Nathaniel smashed the victim's television screen on his way out
and the man contacted triple-0 when he gained consciousness about 11.25pm
Court documents state the offender called triple-0 a few minutes later but didn't provide his name
He told the operator he wanted to cause his neighbour "some trouble" after his music was playing too loud
Officers arrived at the unit block and spoke to the victim
also observing a large pool of blood left on his floor
Paramedics took him to hospital where his wound was cleaned and stapled
Nathaniel was arrested the next day and while in custody
He pleaded guilty at Wollongong Local Court to aggravated entering a dwelling while armed
Nathaniel will receive his date for punishment next month
Picture by Robert PeetThe lights were flashing
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe first day on the job is nerve-wracking for any paramedic
but for Cecilia Kenter her first day hit very close to home
The Thirroul local grew up in the northern Illawarra, went to primary and high school there, and this week, she started as a brand new paramedic at Fairy Meadow's recently-opened ambulance station
Her first-ever call was to a man suffering a stroke on Monday
She jumped in the ambulance with her paramedic colleague Aaron
"So many butterflies," she recalls of the moment
It's just a conversation and the butterflies flew away," she said
Cecilia Kenter started as a new paramedic at Fairy Meadow Ambulance Station on Monday
Picture by Robert PeetThe former student at St Michael's Catholic Primary School and then Holy Spirit College Bellambi
the combination of science and medicine had always been appealing
"I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field
and then kind of found that paramedicine was a mix between that as well as helping other people," she said
"I liked the idea of doing something impactful
Not being stuck in a hospital and being out in the community and helping people in their own homes was also appealing
After a three-year paramedicine degree at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst
followed by six weeks of intensive training at NSW Ambulance State Operations Centre in Sydney
"I've just been lucky," she said of having her first role close to home
it takes a little bit of the weight off my shoulders."
While yet to help deliver a baby - almost a right of passage for paramedics - Cecilia is excited about having so many opportunities ahead of her
"There's so many avenues that I could go down
research or something like that really interests me," she said
There's so many avenues that I could go down
research or something like that really interests me
NSW Ambulance's special operation team is sent to high-risk cases
Duty Operations Manager Warren Coulston said
everything from rescue in car crashes to going to cliff rescues
Long-time paramedic and now acting regional boss, Mr Coulston, offers the same piece of advice to anyone joining their ranks - get to know the station, its people and your local area.
"There's nothing worse than going to somewhere where you have no idea about where anything is," he said.
"Getting to know the other staff in the area as well, because they're the people you mingle with and work on the jobs, and your first day, you literally could be meeting staff from different stations in different areas."
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe man was standing on a plank in scaffolding surrounding a new home being built
when part of it allegedly gave way leaving him falling onto the level below
Emergency services rushed to the construction site on McMahon Street following the triple-0 call at 9.08am on Wednesday
Paramedics and firefighters found the 40-year-old man on a scaffolding ledge one storey up from the ground
and he's fallen through the plank onto the below," NSW Ambulance Inspector Jennifer Barker said
and emergency services personnel used spinal precautions as they treated and moved the man
"His injuries are likely going to be pretty minor."
It was a difficult process to remove man from the narrow scaffolding ledge at the worksite
Click on the photo to see more pictures from the incident
View +3 PhotosEmergency services treating a worker who fell at a Fairy Meadow construction site on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Pictures by Adam McLean Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Wollongong worked alongside paramedics to strap the man securely into a stretcher so he could be lifted and removed from where he fell.
"We were able to do a ladder slide off there," FRNSW Inspector Greg Purvis said.
"We basically put the stretcher on a ladder and just slide them down the ladder. Once we got him to an open area on the scaffolding it was quite straight forward then to get him to the ground."
The Mercury understands the incident has been reported to SafeWork NSW.
The man remains in Wollongong Hospital in a stable condition.
Picture from NSWPFPolice are calling on the public to assist with investigations into a white ute that allegedly crashed into a pedestrian and drove off in Fairy Meadow
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe alleged hit-and-run happened on the intersection of Daisy Street and Princes Highway following reports a man was hit by a car and left injured on Wednesday
Police and paramedics arrived on scene just before 9pm and found the 57-year-old man with chest and facial injuries
He was taken to St George Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition
CCTV footage of the white ute believed to be involved has been released on Monday as police continue with their investigations
They are seeking to speak to the occupants of a car described as a white 4WD utility
single cab with a metal tray back and canvas canopy
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Wollongong City Council is urging residents looking to offload hard-to-move chemical waste to take advantage of Sunday’s free chemical clean out event at Fairy Meadow
The Household Chemical Clean Out – at the updated location of Fairy Meadow Surf Club car park - provides the opportunity for the safe removal of hazardous household chemicals that could pose environmental and public health risks if not properly disposed of
accessible via the Fairy Meadow Surf Club car park
allows residents to drop off household quantities of:
‘Household quantities’ are a maximum100L of paint
up to 10kg of household batteries and up to 20L or 20kg of other items
Council reminds anyone looking to drop off chemical waste to take care in transporting it
ensure containers are clearly labelled and properly sealed
and where possible keep all chemicals in their original containers
See our website for more tips on what you can bring and how to carefully transport them
If you are unable to make it on Sunday the above listed items – excluding garden
household cleaners and poisons – can be dropped off at our Community Recycling Centre at Whytes Gully
which is open every day of the year except Christmas
Please note: The location of Chemical Clean Out
1 September 9am-3.30pm has been shifted (500m south) from North Dalton Park to Fairy Meadow Surf Club carpark
Please allow for some delays and follow signage and traffic control
This event is brought to you by the NSW Environment Protection Authority and supported by Paintback
Visit our News page to find out what's happening in your community, or sign up for e-news.
We show our respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Dharawal Country, Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
You can also use the number above for after hours Council-related emergencies
Email
Webchat
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe 25-year-old man was in a home on Meadow Street when another man allegedly tried to break in to the property
Police and paramedics were called to the home at 8pm on Monday
with ambulance officers treating the man for a stab wound to the arm
"He was taken to Wollongong Hospital for treatment - the injury is not considered life-threatening," a NSW Police spokesperson said.
While the offender allegedly fled the scene, police caught up with him just 26 hours later.
"Following inquiries, about 9.55pm yesterday [Tuesday, March 11, police attended a home in Rothery Street, Bellambi," police said.
Leroy Black, aged 21, was arrested and charged with specially aggravated enter dwelling with intent to wound.
Under NSW legislation, 'special aggravation' means an alleged offender has wounded or maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm and/or was armed with a dangerous weapon.
He appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, March 12 and did not apply for bail. He will reappear later this month.
all-in-one home for Wollongong City Motors
Picture by Adam McLeanTwo decades after the last time leather met willow at the Fairy Meadow indoor cricket centre
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDemolition of the remainder of the former structures is nearing completion with construction of a new
multi-brand car dealership and service centre to follow
The site will be the new home of Wollongong City Motors
combining the current dealerships on Flinders Street and the service centre on Montague Street
Managing director Scott Wakeling said major works were imminent
"We're pretty excited to have broken ground and progress is underway," he said
"Hopefully within 18 months to two years we'll be in there and operating all of our dealership sites in the Wollongong area."
The prominent site on the Princes Highway has been one of Wollongong's worst eyesores when the indoor cricket centre burnt down two decades ago
Picture from fileThe vacant and derelict building had been graffitied and rubbish was dumped on site before some of the structures were pulled down in 2020
the former owners proposed building a data centre once demolition was complete
The idea of a data centre was one of many suggestions floated for the site, once owned by disgraced developer Frank Vellar
which also included a call centre for defunct telco OneTel
The site was also contaminated by asbestos, with its removal part of an asbestos management plan requried as part of the development application for the new building works
the sale of the Wollongong Motor Group showroom at Flinders Street was announced
and Mr Wakeling said the new location would provide a better experience for customers and a more productive layout for staff
"The access on the Fairy Meadow site is far better than the current facilities that we have," he said
The service centre will occupy the site of the former Cash & Carry warehouse
while the dealerships will face towards the Princes Highway
However, Wollongong City Council has raised concerns about flooding surrounding North Wollongong and the loss of employment lands, with a decision on the North Wollongong site deferred until April 2025.
The stretch of Flinders Street between North Wollongong station and the CBD that was once Wollongong's auto alley has been reshaped, with a number of other car dealerships being redeveloped.
Mr Wakeling said the business was committed to remaining in Wollongong, even as kinks in the global supply chain continue to disrupt the import of cars to Australia.
"It's a big investment for the family and the business, but we see future growth there and I'm really happy with how it's progressing."
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Antonio will be greatly missed by all his family
One of the last giant trees in the forest has fallen
Thursday 27 February 2025 commencing at 10:30am
All relatives and friends are invited to attend
Woolworths has activated a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station at its Fairy Meadow store in New South Wales
The site features four DC fast-charging plugs
increasing the total number of Woolworths supermarkets with EV charging facilities to 24 across Australia
This expansion provides additional charging options for EV drivers and integrates with the Chargefox network
The site is available on Plugshare and the pole-mounted 2 x Autel CCS2 Fast chargers are located under the Woolworths solar canopy
The site is located at 66 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow NSW 2519, Australia and can get more information about the site at https://www.plugshare.com/location/740224
The first charging sessions were just 2 days ago
The Fairy Meadow station includes four DC fast chargers
While Woolworths has not released exact power ratings for this location
a comparison can be drawn from its North Parramatta site
which offers DC chargers delivering 50kW charging
although this is shared when 2 cars are charging from the same unit
Charging at Fairy Meadow operates on a per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate through the Chargefox app
The Fairy Meadow site is the 24th Woolworths supermarket to offer EV charging
The company’s network began expanding notably with locations like North Parramatta
and now includes other sites such as Kirrawee
feature a mix of AC and DC chargers this allows customers to charge their vehicles while completing their shopping
Woolworths operates over 1,000 stores nationwide
and its 24 charging sites represent a small but growing portion of its footprint
supported by partnerships with JET Charge and Chargefox
The addition of four DC chargers at Fairy Meadow provides EV drivers in the region with a practical charging option
Woolworths’ investment in EV infrastructure aligns with the increasing adoption of electric vehicles in Australia and leverages its extensive store network to offer charging at convenient locations
From the newest gadgets to the latest software releases
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Picture by Sylvia LiberAn Albion Park teenager has learnt his fate for violently lashing out and threatening to kill his support worker while en route to get a feed from McDonald's
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAdrian Briar was sentenced to an eight-month intensive correction order at Wollongong Local Court last Thursday after he pleaded guilty to five offences including being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence
Tendered court documents state the 18-year-old
who has an intellectual disability and foetal alcohol syndrome
began lashing out at his support worker who picked him up on October 4
Briar repeatedly asked for food and started hitting the dashboard of the vehicle with his fists
stating he would "stick a knife" in his support worker and kill him before grabbing a knife out of the glove box
The support worker stopped the car as he was scared for his safety
to which Briar said "shut up c---" and threw it at him
The victim got out of the car and put the knife in the boot before continuing to drive him around in a bid to calm him
Briar asked to go to McDonald's in Fairy Meadow and kicked off another verbal tirade at his support worker
prompting him to abruptly pull over in a bus zone
The victim opened the driver's side door to escape but Briar grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and grabbed him around the throat with his arm
The support worker beeped the horn and yelled out "help"
Briar then chased the man - who couldn't contact triple-0 as Briar had possession of his work and personal mobile phones
The victim stopped running after a couple of minutes with Briar continuing to threaten him
but eventually stating he wouldn't kill him as he didn't have the knife
The support worker got back in the car with Briar and drove him to Bellambi
before ringing his boss about what had just happened
Officers seized the knife and Briar's bum bag from the victim's car and the teen was arrested the next day
Defence lawyer Jonathon Kearney submitted Briar had extremely disadvantaged upbringing and that keeping him behind bars for longer was not in the interest of justice as he needed to be treated in the community
Mr Kearney added Briar doesn't recall the incident as he was high on illicit substances
Magistrate Claire Girotto said the matter was too serious to grant a good behaviour bond and opted to impose a community-based jail sentence
"I understand you are appalled at what you did but these are extremely serious matters," she said
"He was taking you where you wanted to go and you lashed out with great violence."
Briar also received a two-year community corrections order for an incident in which he wore a balaclava while being in possession of a knife near a mall
This is probably not the page you’re looking for
The Fraternity Club has admitted to selling unsafe food after an employee served margaritas rimmed with caustic soda-contaminated salt
which resulted in two women being rushed to hospital
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe NSW Health Minister's wife Kara Lamond and a friend ordered the popular cocktails at the Fairy Meadow venue on October 19
The Mercury understand Ms Lamond spat the drink out immediately
while her friend swallowed some of the contaminated salt which left her with internal burns
The Fairy Meadow venue's CEO Glenn Ward faced Wollongong Local Court on Monday
August 12 where a lawyer confirmed guilty pleas to two counts of failing to comply with the food standards code
handling food in a manner likely to render it unsafe
The venue was charged following a months-long investigation by the NSW Food Authority
Tendered court documents state a male employee was conducting maintenance on a sink in the casino bar on October 12
2023 when he refilled an unlabelled food tub containing salt with caustic soda pearls
The man then stored the container back under the bar
Ms Lamond and a friend ordered three margaritas from the bar between 6pm and 7pm
A female bartender rimmed each cocktail glass with the salt that was contaminated with caustic soda pearls
which was tasted by the women shortly after
resulting in them being rushed to Wollongong Hospital with internal burns
"The handling of the salt rendered the food likely to cause physical harm to a person who consumed it
The Fraternity Club is liable for the actions of its employee," court papers state
The Fraternity Club will be sentenced on September 20
Mr Ward declined to comment on the matter as he left the courthouse
Toxicology expert at the University of Wollongong Dr Judy Morgan previously told the Mercury caustic soda dissolves cell membranes in the body and "literally eat a hole in the side of your esophagus"
"Significant burning can then lead to scarring longer-term
which obviously can then lead to longer-term health effects like decreased ability to swallow," Dr Morgan said
Picture by Robert PeetThe Illawarra's newest ambulance station is complete
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueKeys to the new facility at Fairy Meadow have been handed over to NSW Ambulance paramedics and the building will become operational in the coming weeks
The station, at the University of Wollongong's Innovation Campus, could not come at a better time as the number of call-outs for critically ill and injured patients across the Illawarra continues to climb
Dapto-Port Kembla and Shellharbour-Kiama statistical areas
there was a record-breaking 8520 emergency responses between April and June
which was up six per cent compared to the same time last year according to new data
An extra 25 paramedics have been recruited for the new station and are already on the road
temporarily operating from other nearby stations
The station features internal parking bays including an internal wash bay
"Once operational the new Fairy Meadow ambulance station on Innovation Way will significantly enhance access to mobile emergency health care for the growing community across the Illawarra," Minister for Health Ryan Park said
"The new ambulance station will also provide paramedics with a high-quality base with the latest facilities and equipment to meet the current and future emergency care needs of the local community."
It is one of 54 new or upgraded stations the state has committed to in a program valued at $232 million
More stations are planned at Warilla and Unanderra as part of the NSW government's $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program
but even in its third growing season it's become a beacon for how to grow food in the Illawarra climate
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe veggie patch will be open this weekend as part of the second annual Edible Garden Trail
which includes edible examples from up and down Wollongong's coastline
Gardener Aaron Sorensen has been involved in making "living classrooms" in the form of permaculture gardens at many Illawarra schools
was built in the aftermath of COVID to foster links between the school and community
it's also designed to show people how to grow certain foods in different conditions
"We've laid it out in plant community patterns that you could grow in the Illawarra," Mr Sorensen said
"All the gardens are a series of small mounds and on the small mounds
the classic one is the west facing Mediterranean Garden - which has sunlight
and then it's got all of the dry Mediterranean support plants around
"Then in the northwest facing part that gets that hot afternoon sun
Edible Garden Trail program manager AJ Linke with Year 4 student Bronte Narbutas at Fairy Meadow Demonstration School
Picture by Robert PeetThe garden is run through a fortnightly whole-day program called the Garden Ambassadors
where kids tend to the veggies and garden beds
They also get the chance to taste lots of foods
and because everyone is from different countries
we've got food from around the world too," Mr Sorensen said
"We had things like pumpkins and watermelons
You really want the kids to be able to snack on it."
Brody McLeod with Year 3 student Savanna Harigh
Picture by Robert PeetEdible Garden Trail growsThe garden trail's program manager AJ Linke
said the event - which is run by Food Fairness Illawarra - has expanded into southern Wollongong this year due to an increasing interest in local food
"People are becoming more aware of the importance of having community resilience," she said
"And there's just so many great things that come out of food growing
there's a physical and mental component and also when you're growing food
so you share it and it's an opportunity to meet one another."
She said people who take part in the garden trail come away with lots of inspiration for how they can grow their own food
"Some people will be coming with a particular interest in looking at gardens that are really similar to theirs and getting ideas on what grows well in the same environment
as well as learning different techniques of how to manage pests and diseases and really practical components like landscape design," she said
and that's a major challenge and a lot of people have really creative ideas
and you don't know that until you actually go and see what they've strung up or rigged up."
The trail now has open gardens from Otford to Dapto and Windang
Suzy Pickles' former public housing property
which she and her family transformed from a bare block to a flourishing garden which produced 500kg of food last year
A PhD candidate at the University of Wollongong
Ms Pickles is part of a larger project to record and study the Illawarra's food landscape amid rising food costs and health issues
As well as looking into community gardens and commercial food production in the region
Ms Pickles has turned her research lens to her own property
aiming to show that it's possible - even when short on time and money - to grow a decent amount of food at home
"I did an audit last year of this farm - it's 1000 square metres and there's about 200 square metres of productive cultivated area
but a lot of the fruit trees aren't productive yet because they're quite young," she said
"I was really busy last year - studying full-time and working pretty much full-time - but I grew nearly 500kg of food here
"People often think that it takes too much time
"So we're a busy working family with two kids
and we pretty much met our fruit and vegetable needs from the garden at our family home."
The Illawarra Edible Garden Trail will be held from November 9 to 10 from 10am to 3pm at gardens from Otford to Dapto
To get an event ticket (and maps to the open gardens) visit https://tinyurl.com/2tnw4rvw
It is still three storeys in some places and a recommendation before the local planning panel is that it be refused.A proposed Fairy Meadow townhouse development up to three-storeys high should be knocked back
a Wollongong City Council report recommended
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe suburban Bassett Street townhouse development includes 14 dwellings
seven of them planned to be three-storeys high
The original development application lodged in late 2022 had 16 townhouses
but that number was later reduced to 14 in amended plans
the council received 51 objections from the public but when the downsized application was put out on public exhibition a further 13 objections came back
The development application has been sent to the Wollongong Local Planning Panel for a decision
with a council staff report recommending it be refused
The reasons for the recommendation include insufficient detail in the flood modelling as part of the development application
"The proposed built form generally results in an acceptable outcome in its context and a suitable balance of tree retention has been achieved through the landscape design," the council report stated
flooding and stormwater issues are significant and have not been resolved
"It is anticipated that a design that provides an appropriate response to flooding/stormwater will result in different finished levels of the building."
That also created problems when it came to an exemption request given the maximum building height allowed was two storeys
the council report recommended it was difficult to assess the request to overlook the height restrictions
The objections raised during the public exhibition phase were largely around traffic and flooding
objectors felt it would lead to an "unacceptable" increase in vehicle movements
"There will be increased traffic to Bassett Street
which is a narrow street built with smaller traffic movement in mind as was planned as a low density area," the report said in quoting objections
"The area is not built for large amounts of traffic and would find it hard to cope with all the extra traffic and parking needs of additional properties in one tight corner."
The council report responded by noting a traffic study submitted as part of the application would be "relatively minor"
Concerns over flooding related to suggestions the increased runoff from the development's buildings and concrete roads and pathways would add to the amount water running into a creek behind Bassett Street and worsen the flooding in the street
The Wollongong Local Planning Panel will meet to discuss the development application on Tuesday night