Works commence to expand Wollongong’s outdoor dining opportunities

Wollongong City Council has expanded its outdoor dining trial to lower Crown Street and to create a walkable outdoor dining spine through the CBD.

Council has been supporting an outdoor dining trial in two precincts within the City Centre and they have seen both residents and visitors enjoy more al fresco dining and other exciting experiences as a result of that.

Lovers’ Lane in February and Laneways Live in May saw the activation of Globe Lane and Crown Lane with outdoor dining, live music and other creative activations through decorations and roving performances.

The upgrades feature parklets that create areas to sit, gather and enjoy food and drinks with friends and family. Through the Streets as Shared Spaces program Council is creating opportunities for businesses to participate in the laneways outdoor dining trial that is already underway in Globe and Crown Lanes.

As part of the project, lower Crown Street will remain one-way reverting to an eastbound traffic arrangement. The one-way arrangement – where traffic will be able to drive from Kembla Street towards the beach – will be a temporary trial until May next year. The plan creates a safer, lower speed environment for all users of the street.

Council is working to deliver outdoor dining parklets that will be installed at points along the street in September for people to enjoy the space through the spring and summer months. Activating public spaces not only supports local businesses but it creates an opportunity for vibrant streets and public spaces.

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle notes “we’re committed to the ongoing activation of our city as a vibrant social hub, and initiatives like this respond to community desire to have outdoor dining options.

“This work continues the efforts we started pre-COVID, and then increased during the pandemic, to provide local hospitality businesses more flexibility in their operations, and to reduce the red tape that can put people off exploring things like outdoor dining.

“We’re grateful for the support and the grant funding from the NSW Government that helps make concepts like this a reality, and means that we can support our local businesses and open our city for residents and visitors to enjoy.’’.

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Streets as Shared Spaces (Round 2) program.