Wollongong City Council has announced it will bring forward work on the final link of the Blue Mile by more than six months, and will begin digging the trench for a new seawall this week.
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Construction on the multi-million dollar seawall upgrade project was not expected to begin until March next year, however the council has decided to expedite the digging of a 300 metre long trench between the Continental Pool and North Wollongong Beach.
The council’s director of infrastructure and works Mike Hyde said moving the preparation work forward would help cut down the impact on residents and visitors of the area.
“The trial trenching was undertaken [in July] to determine what machinery and equipment was best to use on the rock platform as well as measure how long it took to cut,” he said.
“We also took the opportunity to undertake noise testing to assess the impact on nearby residents.
“Following the success of the trial works, we now have an opportunity to complete the remainder of the trenching ahead of the main body of works.”
East Corrimal resident and council critic Ian Young has raised a series of concerns over the plans to start early and has called on the council to halt the advanced work.
In a letter sent to councillors last week, Mr Young worried the design of the tramway project was incomplete and said community consultation on the project was still in progress and had not properly been considered.
Mr Young also said digging the trench separately to the rest of the project could add costs to the overall project budget, which the council has estimated at $10 million.
Mr Hyde said the council would “continue to consider community feedback and work on design details for the shared path” during the trenching work.
The work is due to start on Monday, subject to seas, tides and swells, the council said.
The Gentlemen’s Pool and shared path will remain open, with barriers along the seawall fence to make this area safe for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Continental Pool will remain open with access from Cliff Road and disability access via traffic managed access from Belmore Basin.
The majority of work will be done during the day, although there may be some night works to take advantage of low tides.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
