On behalf of the University of Wollongong and Keyton (uow.engage@keyton.com.au, the Proponent), GML Heritage (GML) seeks registration from local Aboriginal groups and people with respect to conducting an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHAR) for the University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, Health and Wellbeing Precinct project, a State Significant Development (SSD), to comply with the project Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs).

The land subject to SSD approval is located in the suburb of North Wollongong, within the Wollongong City Council Local Government Area (LGA). The study area is marked on the map below, the Lot and DPs are Lots 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13, DP 1172135.

The proposed development involves the construction of Seniors Housing Independent Living Units (220-240 ILUs), a Residential Aged Care Facility (160-180 beds), an Early Learning Centre (60 places), integrated Research & Education space, ancillary retail and support facilities, parking, and community green spaces.

The Concept Development Application (Concept DA) for the Health and Wellbeing Precinct was approved by Wollongong City Council and the Southern Regional Planning Panel on 6 May 2024. The SSD Application includes more detailed plans for the proposed buildings and open spaces as well as amendments to the Residential Aged Care Facility previously approved under the Concept DA. Key amendments include:

• Improvements to the position of the building allowing additional views to Mt Djeera and Mt Djembla from precinct open spaces , and

• An increase in the proposed number of Residential Care beds to 180

As part of the Concept DA submission, in 2023 a cultural values assessment (CVA) was undertaken by Waters Consultancy through detailed consultation and engagement with RAPs and nominated cultural knowledge holders. This produced a Cultural Values Assessment Final Report in July 2023 that identified key cultural values and made a series of recommendations. In addition to the CVA, mili mili produced a Connecting with Country (CwC) report and a joint workshop was held with participants in both the CVA and CwC process.

Keyton has responded to the recommendations from the CVA and CwC reports through amendments to the Master Plan and commitments to ongoing engagement with the First Nations community on detailed design elements. Waters Consultancy will be contacting the CVA and CwC participants, and any new parties who register an interest through GML, to review the Master Plan amendments, provide input to the design teams, and identify opportunities to respect and reflect cultural values in detailed design stages. If you have any questions, please contact Waters Consultancy on adminteam@watersconsultancy.com.au or Kate Waters on 0417 438146.

The purpose of community consultation with Aboriginal people is to assist Keyton in the preparation of an ACHAR and to meet the requirements of the project SEARs.

In accordance with the DECCW’s Aboriginal cultural heritage consultation requirements for proponents 2010 GML is required to compile a list of Aboriginal people who may have an interest in the proposed project area and hold knowledge relevant to determining cultural significance of Aboriginal objects and/or places.

GML invite local Aboriginal people who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the significance of Aboriginal object(s) and/or place(s) in the study area to register an interest in community consultation regarding the proposed activity. If you wish to register please provide in writing (a letter or email) a brief statement clarifying that you wish to be involved in future Aboriginal community consultation.

All registrations should be received by GML no later than 22 September 2025. Registrations should be emailed to ach@gml.com.au or posted to:

Jacob Kiefel

GML Heritage

Level 17, 323 Castlereagh Street

Haymarket NSW 2000

Please be advised that the details of all parties who register an interest will be forwarded to Heritage NSW and the Local Aboriginal Land Council unless it is specified that these details should not be released.