Earlier this month, Wollongong City councillors voted to call on the department to progress the harbour precinct’s masterplan “as a matter of priority”.

The move, championed by lord mayor Gordon Bradbery, was made in the hope of resurrecting seemingly stalled state government plans to develop the area. 

The Mercury this week asked the Department of Industry (Lands), the body responsible for the harbour precinct’s upkeep, a series of questions about those upgrades – including temporary slipway/refuelling facilities and the progress of the masterplan.

In response, a spokesman said the department “will be consulting with council and other key stakeholders in the near future regarding the Wollongong Harbour Masterplan”.

“A remedial action plan is currently in place for the old slipway site among other repair and maintenance work scheduled,” he said.

“Planning is also underway to improve the landscape in the carpark and foreshore area at the eastern end of Brighton beach.

“This work is pending completion of restoration work currently underway on the quay wall.” 

Gladesville-based company MCM Marine and Civil Maintenance was awarded the contract to carry out the quay wall work, which is worth an estimated $397,270.

The contractor is conserving the heritage retaining wall, which is located at eastern end of Brighton beach.

According the NSW government’s contract award notice, works include “replacement of failed stone and failed previous repairs”, removal of old mortar and replacing it, along with getting rid of rusted metal fixtures.

The wall is one of eight state heritage listed convict-built walls in the harbour precinct.

Meanwhile, the Mercury has been told plans for a temporary slipway at the harbour recently fell through.

Wollongong Yacht Club Commodore Stephen Phillips said the department had been “unable to reach an agreement on what could be done”. 

The department didn’t answer a question about the status of the slipway.