Wollongong City Council will approach the NSW government to develop a master plan for Berkeley boat harbour on Lake Illawarra.
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Cr Dom Figliomeni brought a motion at Monday's council meeting that Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery write to Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes and propose that the planning department prepare a master plan for the area in consultation with the council.
Cr Figliomeni said the lake was heavily used and one of the city's top assets. But there had been no funding for facilities on the foreshore in years, he said, and information about the lake as a visitor destination was scant.
Cr Figliomeni said he believed it was appropriate that the council looked into how it could optimise the use of the area and use the lake to promote tourism to the area.
The NSW government has committed $1.3 million to the upgrade and maintenance of jetties on Lake Illawarra, and earlier this month announced extra funding specifically for the King Street jetty on Kully Bay at Warrawong.
In the council business paper, Cr Figliomeni said such investment would contribute to the growing use of the lake and "support the need for coordinated and cohesive planning on how to optimise opportunities including funding, so the future health of the lake can be assured".
The motion was carried unanimously.
Cr Cameron Walters said Lake Illawarra represented a missed opportunity.
Cr Walters said he could not believe the level of infrastructure around Kingston foreshore on Lake Burley Griffin when he visited Canberra, and it was important to see a future for Lake Illawarra.
Cr Ann Martin said she would like to see the council revisit whether it wanted to pick up responsibility for the Crown land around the lake that once sat under the former Lake Illawarra Authority.
Meanwhile, Cr Leigh Colacino congratulated Cr Figliomeni on bringing the motion, and drawing attention to the importance of the lake.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
