Plans to build a cafe at the Wollongong Botanic Garden have hailed as long overdue by those who frequent the Gwynneville attraction.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But a proposal to include more parking within the grounds has been met with caution.
President of Friends of the Botanic Garden, Helen Moon, said she was largely supportive of the ideas put forward in Wollongong City Council’s draft master plan.
Released this week, the vision aims to make the site a “regional garden of excellence”, and will improve pedestrian and car access, move the main entry, refurbish the Sir Joseph Banks Glasshouse and complete a rainforest walk.
“We’re very pleased about a cafe, which we’ve been asking for for years and we would hope that would be one of the first things to be instigated,” Ms Moon said.
She also said a restaurant in Cratloe Cottage was a good idea, and a planned redesign of some paths was necessary.
“I’m a bit concerned about the parking though, because we would want to make sure there would be no loss of green space whatsoever.”
Online, many other residents welcomed the idea of installing a cafe, taking to Facebook to call on the council to hurry the idea along.
But Natalie Banics argued that the “coffee van man makes the best coffees!”
“Definitely needs more parking but leave everything else as is, the gardens are a place for serenity and peace not a loud over crowded restaurant and cafe place,” she said on the Mercury’s page.
Likewise, Chris Johnson thought the cafe plan was “disgusting”.
“Yea[h] ruin it with some more cafés. Guess it's too long of a drive to get it from elsewhere around Wollongong (usually 5 min drive).”
Parking proved another sticking point, with many saying access needed to be improved.
Resident Isabella Marzano highlighted the problem plaguing the suburbs surrounding the University of Wollongong, saying “You’re dreaming if you think Uni students won’t take those car spots before you even blink”.