Crown St Mall makeover to begin in 2013

By Shannon Tonkin
Updated November 6 2012 - 3:09am, first published December 13 2011 - 10:16am
Preparatory work began yesterday on GPT's West Keira development. Picture: KEN ROBERTSON
Preparatory work began yesterday on GPT's West Keira development. Picture: KEN ROBERTSON

Bye-bye birdcage. Farewell, fountain, and au revoir, amphitheatre.The physical look of Crown St Mall is set to change dramatically from early 2013 after Wollongong City Council signed off on plans for a $14 million makeover for the ageing shopping precinct at Monday night's council meeting.Councillors voted to proceed with the 2009-designed Government Architect Office (GAO) plan for the mall revamp.The plan retains the area as a pedestrian-only precinct and includes the removal of the steel archways colloquially known as the birdcage, the water fountain at the mall's eastern end and the centrally placed amphitheatre.In their place will be a more open stretch of footpath featuring trees and seating along the south side of Crown St and a cleared pedestrian passageway to the north.A smaller stage with removable cover will be installed in the northern part of Church St, fresh paving will be laid the entire length of the mall and a children's water feature is proposed for the eastern end of the mall in front of Wesley Uniting Church.Demolition works are scheduled to begin in early 2013, but non-intrusive cosmetic works such as the removal of plant boxes could be fast-tracked.The decision to adopt the plans, supported in a final vote by all councillors except independents Vicki Curran and Greg Petty, came after an unsuccessful attempt by the city's Liberal councillors to split the work into two stages.Councillor Michelle Blicavs presented the council with a 220-signature petition calling for the mall to be reopened to traffic.She suggested that work on the top part of the mall begin while further economic analysis be carried out on the best option for the bottom half of the mall. However, she was narrowly defeated.Cr Curran also lost a vote to have the decision deferred until next year, with the majority of councillors agreeing the community wanted action."Now is not the time to reach for the comfort blanket of more studies," Cr David Brown said."It's time we acted."But flaws in the GAO design were highlighted even among those councillors who supported its implementation.Cr Brown, who moved the motion to adopt the GAO design, suggested a review be carried out on the type of seating to be installed, the status of the children's water play area, provision of additional play areas, lighting designs and options for film and performance art.The council will also analyse the proposed use of Illawarra flame trees as the designated tree species to be planted along the southern side of the mall.In addition, the council plans to examine what provisions there are for installing public toilets, water bubblers and undercover walkways in the scope of works to be carried out.

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