The Illawarra Business Chamber and the Property Council of Australia have provided Wollongong City Council with a submission recommending the Crown St Mall be reopened and revamped to inspire revitalisation of the heart of the city.

Business executives from the two groups said a consultation of membership representatives resulted in the majority supporting the need to upgrade an “old and tired-looking” Mall.

The business groups are supporting Option C, to reopen the Mall to both pedestrians and slow-moving traffic at night, which they believe will facilitate movement around the city’s key assets, provide a link to the foreshore and encourage more investment to aid the economic development of the city.

The business groups also recommended the traffic configuration to support this option was best served by Option 2, to make Crown St one-way east-bound from Keira to Kembla Streets, with two-way traffic in Church St between Crown and Market Streets. They also said Keira St, south of Crown St, should be opened permanently to all traffic in both directions.

“As you are aware, the economic growth of this city is a high priority which unites our two organisations and a key component of the recently gazetted Wollongong City Centre Plan and Illawarra Regional Plan. We believe a major upgrade of our Crown St Mall is not only desired but totally necessary to achieving this goal and attract new investment to the city,” Property Council Illawarra Chapter Chair Quentin Dennis said.

Illawarra Business Chamber President Terry Wetherall said 83% of respondents to an IBC email survey conducted last week supported the reopening, providing not just their preferred option but passionate and thoughtful responses.

“The ideal is to create an environment where the city is alive after business hours with alfresco dining and retail opportunities to cater for both tourists and residents of the Illawarra,” Mr Wetherall said.

“In creating a vibrant after-hours Mall we need to also look at improving the retail mix and include strategies that encourages that mix to facilitate the desired atmosphere.

“Members of both groups feel these measures will create a safer, family-orientated Crown St Mall.”

The Property Council and the IBC said they believe these options to revitalise the Mall will be the catalyst for an increased belief in this city and its growth and an inspiration for investment that will create additional job opportunities and boost our local economy.

“This would result in far-reaching regional advantages which are not only positive for the members of both our organisations but for our entire community,” Mr Dennis said.

“We encourage councillors and staff to make an immediate decision on the options proposed to improve the Crown St Mall in order to keep pace with the desire for economic investment in this city, and for Wollongong City Council to commit funding and kick-start this rebirth of the heart of our city centre,” Mr Wetherall added.

Both organisations said they looked forward to the positive outcomes these options would generate.

Media Contacts:
Terry Wetherall, IBC President on 0417 241827
Quentin Dennis, Illawarra Chapter Chair on 02 4254 8203 or 0411 188 696