A symbol of affection to some, a nuisance to others, those controversial love locks have returned to the Sea Cliff Bridge area.
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The love locks – padlocks with the names of a couple and a date inscribed on them – were a significant issue for Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) in 2012.
The locks were placed on the safety fence along the bridge and had begun to corrode the structure.
“The padlocks cause safety and maintenance issues on this iconic bridge,” RMS southern regional manager Bradley Turner said at the time.
Notice was given that the RMS bolt cutters would be coming out to chop off all the locks and those wishing to keep theirs should collect them ahead of that time.
While the bridge itself has been lock-free since then, the mesh-enclosed rock walls at the southern end have become home to a growing number of love locks.
Some, such as the one from Judith and Martin, have been there for five years and show signs of rust around the clasp.
Others look like they have been affixed more recently.
A Roads and Maritime Services spokesman said many of these locks had been placed since the 2012 removal.
The spokesman added that RMS was not responsible for dealing with this latest proliferation of the padlocks of passion.
“The love locks are not on the Sea Cliff bridge but are located on the southern approach, which is under the care and control of Wollongong City Council,” the spokesman said.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery wasn’t aware of the love locks at this location but said he would inform council staff, who would assess the situation.
Wollongong City Council has also had issues with love locks, particularly at Mt Keira.
Locks were removed without warning in 2012, causing outrage among those who had placed them.
Since then the council has considered installing a purpose-built structure somewhere in the city for the love-lock lovers.
But Cr Bradbery said the $160,000 price tag proved prohibitive.
A new approach to the problem – providing a chain attached to a fence for people to place love locks – has been tested at Sublime Point.
“We’ve found that that’s been well used,” Cr Bradbery said.
“Most people are obeying it, actually. We haven’t had too many problems in recent times.”
“We’re planning to bring a report to council on May 29 asking council to give approval for the same sort of set-up at Mt Keira and the whale-watching platform at Flagstaff Hill.”