Plans for a multipurpose cafe and visitors centre at Wollongong's popular botanic gardens were first raised in the 1970s. At this week's meeting of Wollongong City Council, there was overwhelming support to move ahead with those plans.

It came during discussions about a new Wollongong Botanic Garden Masterplan.

Addressing Council, a long-time volunteer and Friend of the Garden, Barry Baird, said the development of a combined cafe, visitors centre and toilet block was long overdue and the Friends had been lobbying Council for decades.

Mr Baird said the garden attracted about 350,000 visitors each year and Council staff had suggested a goal to grow that number to half a million people a year.

"As a coordinator of guides in the garden for over 10 years, I have a very good idea of what visitors like about the garden and what extra things they'd like to see," Mr Baird said.

Visitors ask, 'where is the cafe?'

"The most frequently asked questions ...'Where can I find out information about the garden?' and 'Where is the cafe?'

"Wollongong Botanic Garden is the only regional botanic garden in Australia without a visitor information centre or a cafe (and I would add a coffee cart doesn't count)."

Mr Baird welcomed that a cafe had been identified in the new master plan, and he was keen to see Council partner with the Friends of the Garden to accelerate the project, firstly by identifying the best location.

He didn't support a suggestion the cafe could be located in the garden's Cratloe Cottage, which he said was riddled with asbestos and in an isolated area. Barry supported a site close to the entry to the garden and the duck pond.

Councillors spoke strongly in support of the proposed cafe and visitors centre.

An opportunity for new revenue

Lord Mayor Tania Brown said "in any other city where you visit their botanic garden you can get a scone and a cup of tea", adding that it would provide a new source of revenue.

Most councillors, including the Lord Mayor, agreed with the Friends that the new facility should be close to the entry.

Cr Jess Whittaker said the current entry to the garden was substandard, dominated by a carpark, bins and an ageing toilet block.

Her preference was to have the cafe near the children's playground, so families can enjoy an ice cream together

Cr Ryan Morris said the garden's importance would grow over the years as there's new urban expansion adjacent to the site. He felt the proposed new facility could also cater for school excursions.

Cr Andrew Anthony suggested developers who will benefit from the Homes NSW plans for infill nearby could contribute to the planned upgrade.

Cr David Brown and Cr Thomas Quinn spoke in support of a new commercial opportunity .

"We know the Botanic Garden is well loved," Cr Brown said. "It is reflected in the visitation numbers."

An exciting opportunity

Cr Kit Docker said the future plans represented "a very exciting opportunity ... at the top of the list is the cafe".

Cr Docker said he hoped the proposed changes would generate more events and activities in the garden, including at night.

He also welcomed the opportunity to improve the entry to the garden. 

"First impressions are important," he said.

Council voted unanimously to adopt the Wollongong Botanic Garden Masterplan, which includes repairing and reopening the iconic Japanese Drum Bridge that has been closed to visitors since the year 2000.

The traditional bridge is a replica of the original bridge, presented to Wollongong in 1993 as a fifth anniversary sister city gift from the Japanese City of Kawasaki. The replica was officially opened on 24 August 2005.