The Crown Street Mall refurbishment will not be finished by the Wollongong City Council's self-imposed October 31 deadline, with rain and delivery delays evidently to blame for the tardy work.
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Infrastructure and works director Mike Hyde on Friday conceded the controversial $22.5 million project would "not be perfect" by the end of this week - which is when the council had hoped to have it complete.
However he assured retailers in the lower mall there would only be "minor dental works" to be done and that their businesses would be able to operate unimpeded.
"It won't be 100 per cent finished. We've had some really heavy rainfall which caused a little bit of chaos but the contractors are working their way around that and I'm confident we're going to have it 97 to 98 per cent ready by October 31," he said.
"Most of the paving will be done, and the traders will be able to trade leading into that busy November period no matter what we have to finish."
The main problem area has been the intersection of Crown and Church streets - where the amphitheatre once stood - which was worst affected by heavy rain. This area will take another two weeks because it was exposed and the rain did cause havoc there."
The council has planned a retailers forum on November 11 and Mr Hyde said he hoped to have most things finished by then.
"And then we've got the official opening on November 22, and I want everything to be tickety-boo by then," he said.
Despite the delayed completion date, shoppers will have noticed some new features in the western end of the mall - including some new signage and a decorative lighting system.
The lights can be programmed to display up to 200 different colour and motion combinations, according to a council spokesperson.
This could be used to help celebrate events such as a St George Illawarra win, with a display of red and white lights, or the rainbow motif of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Over Christmas the lights will be tuned to red and green to complement a festive program of events.
Events in Crown Street Mall
- November 1 – Convoy on Crown – A family fun day to promote registrations for the 10th i98fm Camp Quality Convoy
- November 8 – Viva La Gong – Wollongong’s annual community arts festival.
- November 15 – Steel City Sounds on Crown – Celebrating 50 years of rock ‘n’ roll in Wollongong five local bands take to the Crown St stage.
- November 22 – Summer Party on Crown – The official opening of the Crown Street Mall is marked by a summer celebration including DJs and a volleyball court.
