As debate rages about how to manage the growing crowds and traffic problems surrounding Wollongong's beaches, Wollongong MP Paul Scully has called for the NSW Government to intervene.
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Mr Scully says the government should fund extra hours for the free Gong Shuttle - especially on busy Sundays and public holidays during December and January, to help take the pressure off foreshore parking around Wollongong.
He says the extended hours would only be needed for a total of 14 extra days over the peak of summer.
"This summer we expect to see a considerable influx of visitors to Wollongong," he said.
"These additional summer visitors will add to local economic activity but they will also add to demand for foreshore parking."
Currently the free Gong Shuttle operates from 8am to 6pm on Saturday but only 9.40am to 5.20pm on Sundays and public holidays.
Mr Scully said having the same hours on all weekends and public holidays would reduce passenger confusion and increase capacity, while helping to reduce pressure on foreshore infrastructure.
"Extending the hours on Sundays and public holidays is a small contribution that the NSW Government can make that could help make a big difference to Wollongong over summer," he said.
Mr Scully said he had written to the Transport Minister Andrew Constance, suggesting extended hours.
"The Berejiklian Government is spending millions to support Sydney CBD and Sydney beaches over summer and it's time they spread this support to other areas that are going to experience an increase in visitor numbers this summer," he said.
"An extended summer Shuttle service would encourage locals and visitors alike to use less obvious parking options around Wollongong while still allowing people to access local businesses and beaches."
Last week, Wollongong's Deputy Mayor Tania Brown suggested the shuttle also be put to better use by residents, noting that they could easily park at Fairy Meadow and hop on the free service to travel to the popular North Wollongong precinct.
On Monday, all but one of the other councillors supported her notice of motion, which urged council staff to fast-track some innovative solutions to the traffic and parking problems.
As well as the campaign to get more people using the free bus, these measures could include "pop-up" car parks on parks, verges or disused car parks - like those at the Innovation Campus - or better promotion of some of the city's less popular beaches - like Fairy Meadow and Bellambi.
At the request of Liberal councillor Leigh Colacino, the council will also be writing to Transport NSW to see if it might be able to make use of electronic overhead road signs and the Live Traffic system to alert Sydneysiders and other out-of-towners when roads and beach car parks are full.
The council is due to release its longer-term Foreshore Parking Strategy in December.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
