In the past Wollongong City Council has declared war on love locks, but now loved-up couples have a suitably spectacular setting to lock in their undying devotion.
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A failing handrail at Sublime Point lookout was replaced in late December and the council is now trialling a love lock chain, which hangs from a bracket running alongside the fence.
"We encourage people to hang their love locks on the chain, rather than locking them onto the fence," a spokeswoman said.
"Locks hung on the fence will cause metal corrosion and will be periodically removed."
Love locks are an international craze in which couples engrave their names on padlocks and fix them to landmarks, particularly bridges, to symbolise unbreakable love.
Sublime Point and Sea Cliff Bridge are among the Illawarra's more popular lock sites. However, the council and Roads and Maritime Services discourage the practice.
The spokeswoman said new signs asking people to use the chain at Sublime Point rather than the fence would be installed soon.
"Council will review the use of a love lock chain later this year, with the possibility of this being used on other council-owned and managed sites across the city that are popular with people wanting to clip on love locks," she said.
"We will also continue to work with the community, and a range of government organisations to find a location for a permanent artwork where people can hang their love locks."
