Wollongong City Council staff have confirmed their support for the three-month closure of Keira Street, to be discussed by councillors at next week's meeting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Developer GPT Group announced earlier this month that it hoped to shut off traffic on Keira Street, between Crown and Market streets, from July until September.
This would allow the construction of footpaths, roads and outdoor dining areas before the opening of the $200 million, six-level shopping centre, GPT's development manager Steven Turner said.
The proposal - which will affect traffic, commuter routes, taxi ranks and businesses - needs the support of councillors and Roads and Maritime Services.
GPT presented a comprehensive traffic management plan for the closure, which staff concluded "can be adequately managed for the short term".
"The closure of Keira Street to all traffic for three months is not desirable for general access to the city centre and the immediately adjacent business," they said in a report to councillors.
"However, the continued partial closure and traffic management in Keira Street for an additional five to six months, including over the 2014 Christmas period ... is potentially more disruptive to the city centre when the combination of impacts on traffic, businesses, public amenity and economic activity is considered."
Mr Turner already said he was confident of councillors' support and expected the road closure to go ahead as planned.