It's the cycling race we've been hearing politicians and tourism bosses harp on about for years, but finally Wollongong is counting down in excitement, or fear, for September's UCI World Championships.
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Road closures are inevitable for the Olympics of bike races, with some residents airing frustrations on social media while others make contingency plans and celebrate.
St Mary's Star of the Sea College, which sits across from Lang Park in the heart of Wollongong, has chosen to swap their three-week holiday break from the end of Term 2 to the end of Term 3 so students will have their regular break throughout the road race, minimising disruptions to classes.
Spokeswoman Marie Pulford told the Mercury preparations had been ongoing over the last year, with parents and staff notified in August 2021 of the alteration.
"The race is wonderful opportunity to showcase the Illawarra on the world stage," Ms Pulford said.
Meantime, the Department of Education said they were working with schools impacted by the route as well as UCI organisers, Wollongong City Council, the State Government and Transport on a plan to minimise disruption to school operations, teaching and learning.
"The Department and individual schools will communicate any special arrangements with their school communities as soon as possible," a spokesperson said, though they would not confirm if remote learning for the last week of term might be incorporated for those affected.
At the University of Wollongong's Gwynneville and Innovation Campuses, some subjects may be delivered online for that week, rescheduled, or alternate arrangements may be made by subject coordinators.
"It is a great initiative for the region and a wonderful opportunity to showcase Wollongong," a UOW spokesman said.
"The University of Wollongong is looking forward to celebrating the UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong this September, with some exciting announcements in store as we get set for Wollongong to take centre-stage as part of this iconic global event."
Even the real estate industry is taking the race into consideration, with contracts of sale for homes impacted along the race route adopting a clause about the one-off cycling race.
"The Championships are one of the top five sporting events in the world, and like the Olympics, require extensive planning and operational support to be delivered safely for participants, spectators and the local community," the generic clause states.
"At different times throughout the event, access may be limited to residences, businesses and construction sites along and nearby the route. If you're likely to be undertaking a renovation or construction this September, please be mindful of the impact that parking restrictions, limited access and road closures may have on your project time-frames."
Sporadic road closures will occur around the region from September 17 to 25 (nine days), but it will be business as usual during the week for the M1, Memorial Drive, Masters Road and other major arterials south of the city.
Most Wollongong suburbs will incur minor - if any - disruptions during the week and only impacted on the final two days of racing; while organisers will progressively reopen roads daily when safe to do so.
Adam Zarth of the Illawarra Business Chamber said UCI representatives had been working closely with businesses for many months to minimise impact on operations during the historic sporting event.
He said some businesses would be preparing to increase their demand, such as restaurants or hotels ready to serve thousands, while others would be opting to work-from-home which became a mainstay during the pandemic.
"We are confident that given the innovative, can-do attitude local businesses demonstrated through the last two years of the pandemic, they will adapt as required over this relatively brief period of time," Mr Zarth said.
"Some will no-doubt make arrangements to get work done by staff and other suppliers through remote means, and others will pivot to alternative ways of delivering goods and services around the affected areas."
He said many in the community were looking forward to showcasing the region to the world, with the local economy set to benefit from an estimated $100 million boost and the creation of over 400 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs.
OFFICIAL ROAD CLOSURES
(source: www.wollongong2022.com.au )
The 2022 UCI Road World Championships will be a city-wide celebration of cycling and culture. Over 8 days, 11 World Championship races will take place on public roads between 18 - 25 September, within the Wollongong Local Government Area.
- Pedestrian access is maintained to all areas of the course;
- Roads will be progressively reopened daily when it safe to do so;
- Every driveway and intersection on the course will be open before and after road closure times;
- Congestion is expected on roads near the course throughout the event week - we'll be asking the community to please plan ahead;
- The M1, Memorial Drive, Masters Road and all major arterials south of the City will operate as usual through the week.
AUSTINMER
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15; Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
BALGOWNIE
- Dawson St, Dymock St, Ryan St
- Thurs 22 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Fri 23 Sept 07:00 - 18:15
BELLAMBI
- Pioneer Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
BULLI
- Carrington St, Farrell Rd, Park Rd, Princes Hwy, Trinity Row
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
CLIFTON
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
COALCLIFF
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
COLEDALE
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
CONISTON
- Springhill Rd
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
CORDEAUX
- Harry Graham Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
CORDEAUX HEIGHTS
- Cordeaux Rd, Princes Hwy
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
EAST CORRIMAL
- Pioneer Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
FAIRY MEADOW
- Bourke St, Cabbage Tree Ln, Clifford St, Daisy St, Elliotts Rd, Princes Hwy
- Sat 17 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Sun 18 Sept 09:00 - 18:00 Mon 19 Sept 11:50 - 18:00 Tues 20 Sept 08:00 - 18:00 Wed 21 Sept 12:50 - 18:00 Thurs 22 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Fri 23 Sept 07:00 - 18:15 Sat 24 Sept 06:30 - 18:00 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 18:00
GWYNNEVILLE
- Foley St, Throsby Dr, Irvine St (Sat 17 - Fri 23)Gipps Rd (Sat 17 - Sun 25William St (Sat 24-Sun 25)
- Sat 17 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Sun 18 Sept 09:00 - 18:00 Mon 19 Sept 11:50 - 18:00 Tues 20 Sept 08:00 - 18:00 Wed 21 Sept 12:50 - 18:00 Thurs 22 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Fri 23 Sept 07:00 - 18:15 Sat 24 Sept 06:30 - 18:00 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 18:00
HELENSBURGH
- Walker St
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
KEIRAVILLE
- Breaside Ave, Gipps Rd, Murphys AveWilliam St & Robson Rd (Sat 24 & Sun 25
- Sat 17 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Sun 18 Sept 09:00 - 18:00Mon 19 Sept 11:50 - 18:00 Tues 20 Sept 08:00 - 18:00 Wed 21 Sept 12:50 - 18:00 Thurs 22 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Fri 23 Sept 07:00 - 18:15 Sat 24 Sept 06:30 - 18:00Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 18:00
MOUNT KEMBLA
- Cordeaux Rd
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
MOUNT KEIRA
- Mount Keira Rd
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
MOUNT OUSLEY
- Dumfries Ave, Foothills Rd, Mount Ousley Rd, Strone Ave
- Sat 17 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Sun 18 Sept 09:00 - 18:00 Mon 19 Sept 11:50 - 18:00 Tues 20 Sept 08:00 - 18:00 Wed 21 Sept 12:50 - 18:00 Thurs 22 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Fri 23 Sept 07:00 - 18:15
MOUNT PLEASANT
- Brokers Rd, New Mount Pleasant Rd, Ramah Ave
- Thurs 22 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Fri 23 Sept 07:00 - 18:15 Sat 24 Sept 06:30-18:00 Sun 25 Sept 08:30-18:00
NORTH WOLLONGONG
- Foleys Ln, George Henley (Hanley) Dr, Lysaght St, Princes Hwy, Squires Way, TAFE, University Ave
- Sat 17 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Sun 18 Sept 09:00 - 18:00 Mon 19 Sept 11:50 - 18:00 Tues 20 Sept 08:00 - 18:00 Wed 21 Sept 12:50 - 18:00 Thurs 22 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Fri 23 Sept 07:00 - 18:15 Sat 24 Sept 06:30 - 18:00 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 18:00
SCARBOROUGH
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
SPRINGHILL
- Springhill Rd
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
STANWELL PARK
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
STANWELL TOPS
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
THIRROUL
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
TOWRADGI
- Carters Ln, Marlo Rd, Pioneer Rd
- Sat 17 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Sun 18 Sept 09:00 - 18:00 Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
UNANDERRA
- Five Island Rd
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
WEST WOLLONGONG
- Hurt St, Poulter St, Robsons Rd
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
WOLLONGONG
- Campbell St, Cliff Rd, Corrimal St, Crown St, Marine Dr, Market St
- Sat 17 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Sun 18 Sept 09:00 - 18:00 Mon 19 Sept 11:50 - 18:00 Tues 20 Sept 08:00 - 18:00 Wed 21 Sept 12:50 - 18:00 Thurs 22 Sept 08:00 - 13:30 Fri 23 Sept 07:00 - 18:15 Sat 24 Sept 06:30 - 18:00 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 18:00
WOMBARRA
- Lawrence Hargrave Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
WOONONA
- Carrington St, Kulgoa St, Park Rd, Railway Parade, Pioneer Dr
- Sat 24 Sept 10:30 - 15:15 Sun 25 Sept 08:30 - 13:15
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