Bellambi estate renewal

Bellambi is a place of rich cultural heritage significance and Bellambi Point holds strong value in the cultural landscape. Bellambi is home to many First Nations peoples who are deeply connected to Country and community.

Homes NSW acknowledges the Dharawal Wodi Wodi peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country, and the First Nations community who care for Country in this place.

Bellambi renewal

The Bellambi estate has been identified as an area suitable for future housing renewal. Homes NSW has been working with the community since mid-2024 to understand what renewal may look like in the future.

Many of the social homes in Bellambi are now ageing and no longer fit-for-purpose.

Renewal provides an opportunity to replace these older homes with modern, safe and well-designed housing that better meets the needs of residents now and into the future, while also supporting improvements to local infrastructure, facilities and services that benefit the wider community over time.

Bellambi estate rezoning proposal

Following early engagement with residents, stakeholders and the community, Homes NSW submitted a rezoning proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (the Department) for part of the Bellambi estate so that the area can be renewed in the future.

The Department has approved the rezoning, which allows for changes to some of the planning controls that apply to parts of the Bellambi estate under the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009.

The rezoning allows for:

• between 2,000 and 2,500 new social, affordable and private homes, with at least 30% dedicated to social housing
• increased maximum building heights between 3 and 6 storeys
• a new local centre and public plaza to service the community
• upgraded community and public open space facilities
• improved local streets, with upgraded walking and cycling connections
• a minimum tree canopy target of 30% across the rezoning area.

Next steps

Now that the rezoning has been approved, Homes NSW will move into the next stage of the renewal. This will involve more detailed planning and design work for new homes and supporting infrastructure.

Any future building, infrastructure and design works will be subject to separate development application and assessment processes and will need further approvals before they can proceed.

Residents and the broader community will continue to have opportunities to learn more and provide feedback as this work progresses. 

Community consultation

Important information for social housing residents

If you are a social housing resident living in the Bellambi estate, you are not being asked to relocate at this time. There are no changes to your current tenancy arrangement.

The renewal of the Bellambi estate is a long-term project that will take many years to deliver. We are only in the very early stages of planning.

• If relocation is required in the future, Homes NSW will support you through the relocation process, every step of the way.
• You will receive at least 6 months’ written notice before relocating.
• Relocations typically happen in stages to minimise resident and community impact. This means not everyone in Bellambi would move at the same time.
• You will have the opportunity to stay in the local area if you choose to.
• You have the right to turn to a new home in Bellambi once the development is complete.

Homes NSW understands that with renewal comes the potential for change. We are committed to engaging with respect and sensitivity and keeping tenants and the community informed as renewal progresses.

Bellambi People and Place Plan

The Bellambi People and Place Plan puts people at the centre of planning by outlining the community’s vision, directions and recommendations for future renewal. The Plan has been shaped by voices, lived experiences and recommendations shared by residents, stakeholders and community during early engagement and public exhibition of the draft Bellambi People and Place Plan. 

To deliver the Plan, we’ll need to work closely with tenants, local residents, organisations, government and the wider community so that we can achieve the community’s vision for the Bellambi renewal together.

View the Bellambi People and Place Plan here (PDF 6.26MB). 

Contact Homes NSW

For more information or to speak to a member of the Homes NSW Community Engagement team:

• email communityengagement@homes.nsw.gov.au
• call us on 1800 738 718 and leave a message on our voicemail so we can call you back.