Keira Street rooftop bar Humber's bid for a hotel licence is being discussed at a public forum organised by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority on Thursday afternoon.
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Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery plans to represent council at the forum, to push for an increase in night-time activities and the CBD's "evening economy", as well as speaking on a personal level about his knowledge of the city.
"I'll be making it very clear what we have now compared to when I first become police chaplain in 1996 is living in paradise," he said.
"I can remember virtual riots outside the Illawarra Hotel in Wollongong and the violence on the streets of Wollongong.
"We have better behaviour of patrons because we have lessened that bogan pub culture and are heading in that direction of more sophisticated drinking and responsible service of alcohol."
Dozens of supporters of Wollongong's growing bar scene are expected to join Cr Bradbery for the forum at Wollongong City Gallery as the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) deliberates over the Humber liquor licence.
The hotel licence for the rooftop bar and cafe has been in limbo since owner Adam Murphy submitted his application in May last year.
In October, he was told the government believed the city had too many licences, with the state liquor office saying alcohol-related violence remained a problem.
This was despite a dramatic drop in non-domestic assaults - and rise in the number of venues - in Wollongong over the past five years.
Almost 1500 people have signed a change.org petition in support of the venture, and 330 have said they would attend the forum.
However, on the Humber Facebook page, a number of supporters were unimpressed by the mid-afternoon time slot.
"Nice that they have it at 2pm ... so 90 per cent of the people that would support the idea are at work and can't make it," Aran Levin said.
"I bet if it was at 7pm Friday there'd be 1000 people there."
The forum will be held at 2pm in the BlueScope Steel gallery and is open to the public with limited seating. A final decision on the application will be made after the conference.
kmcilwain@fairfaxmedia.com.au