Ann Martin has put pressure on Wollongong City Council to upgrade signage around Port Kembla.
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The Labor candidate for the council’s ward three byelection wants signs to be replaced as a priority.
Ms Martin believes too much time has elapsed since money for the signs was allocated in the council budget earlier this year.
In May, councillors supported the Port Kembla 2505 Revitalisation Plan, which sets out a 25-year vision to make the suburb a safe and welcoming place which celebrates its heritage and creativity.
On the request of Labor councillor Vicky King, money for new signage, footpath cafes, car parking and shared paths was approved so the projects could be fast tracked.
Ms Martin, who is the vice-chair of the Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce, has called on the council to “get on with the job of supporting Port Kembla”.
“The biggest signs in Port Kembla direct people out of the suburb rather than on to Wentworth Street, the King George oval, pool precinct or to Coomaditchie Lagoon,” she said.
“We have council-owned carparks that anyone who visits Port Kembla would not even know are there or are free.
“There are two conflute signs that point to the town centre that are less than adequate.
“The money was approved in the June for the 2018/19 budget and now it is October and there are still no new signs.
“Port Kembla needs basic directional signage.
“How hard are they to put up?”
Ms Martin said signage indicating where car parks were located, appropriate timed car park signage in the main street, directional signs indicating main attractions and a ‘welcome to Port Kembla’ sign were needed as priorities.
Ms Martin said “it would have been good to have the signs replaced last week.”
A council spokesman said the signage works would be delivered in two stages.
“These are the replacement and improvement of local directional traffic signage such as parking locations, and on a larger scale incorporating the development of a way-finding strategy, supporting a walking–connections project,” he said.
“The council has $50,000 allocated in the 2018/2019 budget.
“The way-finding project is on track to be delivered in this financial year, by end of June 2019.”
