A section of Wollongong's Crown Street is to be slowed to 30 kilometres per hour for a new pop-up dining trail, though it's unsure if parking will also go.
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The council has just been awarded a $250,000 grant to "relocate road space" for outdoor dining as part of the NSW Government's Streets as Shared Spaces program which is rolling out across the state.
A Wollongong Council spokeswoman said the trail would "activate" lower Crown Street, the Crown Street Mall and Kembla Street beginning at the end of September and finishing at the end of February 2023 (though with potential to expand).
When asked if parking spaces would be taken out to increase outdoor dining, the spokeswoman declined to comment.
Wollongong City Council was one of 40 local government areas to receive money to makeover their "high streets", with the Crown Street vision to add and improve public space, enhance walkability and connectivity, and enable day and night activity.
"These innovative and creative projects will allow people to dine under the stars and create spaces to relax and connect, which will support local business operators as they bounce back from the pandemic," said Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes.
"We're reimagining our streets as better places for people, which will drive an increase in foot traffic and bring the community together to enjoy the vibrancy our state has to offer."
This is the second time the council has been awarded funding under the program, after being handed $39,325 in the first round of funding for their Pop-Up Cycleways project - this included creating two new cycleways.
Other areas to receive funding in 2022 include a new shared space on Hall Street in Bondi do allow for more greenery, improved lighting and space to dine by the sea; art installations that recognise the rich history of Bathurst; and increasing pedestrian space and creating outdoor dining areas in Railway Street, Liverpool by trialing a wider footpath.
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