The site is now used by the F45 gym, and the Jetty outdoor bar.

The plan had been knocked back by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel twice, saying it did not fit with the character of the area.

Wollongong city councillors also unanimously voted not to allow the rezoning.

Cr Rimmer was not in favour of the rezoning which, she said, would allow for building heights to go from two storeys to as many as five.

":Not only do they want us to rezone it they want us to give them special allowances that they can have the heights they want," Cr Rimmer said.

"That's not because it's what's best for Bulli that's because it's what's best for their pocket.

"I'm not a supporter of people buying property knowing what the zoning is and showing an incredible amount of arrogance that they are doing us a favour by increasing the heights, etc, [and being] disappointed they aren't being shown the red carpet."

Cr Mithra Cox was also opposed to the rezoning, saying there was a lot of "angst" in the community about inappropriate development, citing the area was a traffic pinch point and not as close to public transport as was claimed.

She felt the bowling club site would be a perfect place for soccer fields, of which she said there was a shortage in the city.

"It would be a great use of the facility," Cr Cox said.

"Sure, it wouldn't make as much money as putting five-storey apartments but it's not our job to give windfall profits to people who have speculated and bought property zoned as private recreation and allow them to make a big profit off it building apartments that weren't previously allowed."