Wollongong City Council has revealed a vision for the Mount Keira Summit Park, outlining its future potential “to become a vibrant recreation and tourism hub” for the Illawarra.
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In a draft vision, open for public comment until May 31, consultants employed by the council have set out some broad principles to guide development of the 9.4 hectare site.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said it was designed to set out values the community wanted to apply at Mount Keira, as well as constraints and planning principles. It will be used to inform a detailed master plan and plan of management, to be drafted by the end of the year.
“This document has been prepared to respect people’s passion for the site, but we have to be aware that there’s diverse views and try to settle on some key themes that the majority wish to see on that site,” he said. “And I have to say, if we ever implement all these things, it will be a wonderful location.”
In contrast to an ambitious plan from Destination Wollongong to install a cable car and develop an “adventure playground” across the escarpment, the council’s vision is relatively modest.
Its “key elements” include better “interpretation”, improvements to parking, toilets and picnic facilities and a better “sense of arrival” than the existing graffiti-covered, khaki green wall.
There are also opportunities to set up “a range of sustainable, predominantly cultural and nature-based tourism activities” connected to Mount Keira’s cultural and environmental values, the document says.
Examples include a cliff top walk, a lookout to replace the one closed due to instability, signage showing the summit’s rich Aboriginal heritage and a “unique dining experience” serving regional produce. Recreation activities listed in the vision include walking tracks, abseiling and rock climbing.
The document also says the summit park could serve as the start and finish point for road cycling and mountain biking in the escarpment – a key feature of the Destination Wollongong proposal.
Many other of the adventure tourism measures are not mentioned, however Cr Bradbery said that did not mean these ideas were off the table. “These types of projects will involve talks and negotiations with National Parks, because the majority of the mountain is under their control,” he said.
The council will hold community information sessions on May 14-15 at the summit park.
It will also exhibit plans for a pop-up container kiosk serving food and drink, which it hopes to install there by summer.