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The barricades have come down and the western end of Crown Street Mall has reopened in time for summer trading.
Work will continue on the $19.4million mall redevelopment at night, with seating
and light poles still to be installed.
The reopening of the western section of the mall coincided with its November 1 smoke-free deadline.
The smoke-free zone applies to the whole mall, including Crown Street between Keira and Kembla streets, Globe Lane, Globe Way and Church Street from Globe Lane to Court Lane.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said public opinion was in favour of the smoking ban, with 85percent of those surveyed supporting the proposal.
The Heart Foundation of NSW has applauded Wollongong City Council for the expansion of its outdoor smoke-free policy to prohibit smoking in the mall.
“We congratulate Wollongong City Council for approving the expansion of its policy that aims to protect the community from exposure
to harmful second-hand tobacco smoke,” NSW Heart Foundation chief executive officer Kerry Doyle said.
“Smoking is the largest single preventable cause of death in Australia, killing more than 15,000 Australians a year.
‘‘Evidence shows that a non-smoker’s exposure to second-hand smoke can result in up to a 30percent increase in risk of heart disease.’’
However, the court of public opinion has not been so kind over the decision to plant gum trees in the remodelled mall.
Cr Bradbery said the council had chosen the ‘‘safest, most aesthetically attractive’’ trees.