Southern Gateway Centre reveals its true colours

By Brett Cox
Updated November 5 2012 - 8:11pm, first published April 7 2009 - 11:20am
Melissa Jaros takes in the view from the new observation deck at the Southern Gateway Centre at Bulli Tops.Picture: ANDY ZAKELI
Melissa Jaros takes in the view from the new observation deck at the Southern Gateway Centre at Bulli Tops.Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

This is the million-dollar view from Wollongong's Southern Gateway Centre at Bulli Tops, which is due for completion next month.The complex will include a tourist information centre, Aboriginal discovery centre, Indian restaurant and kiosk.Yesterday the Mercury had a sneak peek of the stunning outside viewing platform, which will showcase the Illawarra to tourists.Additional roadworks ordered by the RTA pushed up costs for the project last year.It will now cost almost $11 million, which includes the demolition of the former service station, up from an original estimate of $1.5 million in 2003.The centre was due to open last December but wet weather delayed construction.The Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation will run tours from the Jumbulla Aboriginal Discovery Centre in the new building, corporation manager Annelies Voorthui said.Visitors will be able to take guided tours of the escarpment and walk down an ancient indigenous trading route.The RTA said the roadworks were necessary to provide a safer access for motorists travelling on the F6, including creating a turning bay for those heading north.The Southern Gateway will be one of only six tourist gateways in NSW.

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