Businessman Adam Murphy has lodged plans for the street closure with Wollongong City Council, asking for permission to shut the lane outside his three-level venue, Humber, 

The shut-down would allow for live music and pop-up stalls as part of a “major event” titled Humberfest.

The outdoor component of the street festival is expect to attract 150 people “at any one time”, according to the plans.

The festival would run from 3pm-10pm on Friday March 31, and 10am-11pm on Saturday April 1.

“A letter box drop of all surrounding residents and business will occur to inform residents of the event including times, dates and contact details for any concerns,” documents lodged with the council said.

To minimise noise to residents on Crown Street and Regent Street, the plans said “small low-power” speakers would be in place.

Pedestrian areas and access to other properties would be unaffected, the plans said.

“It is envisaged the events will have a positive economic impact on the entire Wollongong area by providing an offering and a reason for people to come back to the area,” plans said.

“The Western portion of Crown Street is going through a period of  gentrification and improvement and these markets seek to align with the  positive improvements and change.”

The proposal has requested an exemption for the street’s alcohol free zone, with proponents saying they “have consulted with the local licencing police in regards to this  application and will be making separate representations in relation to  gaining approval for a temporary extension of boundaries of the associated Humber bar”. 

A several week event named Humberfest was run by the Crown Street operation in 2016, however it did not include the outdoor festival component.

The street closure proposal will be on public exhibition until February 19.