No cafe, but our botanic gardens might get a tree climb attraction

Visitors who have waited decades for a standalone cafe at Wollongong Botanic Garden may have to wait a little bit longer.

In a business paper to next Monday night’s Wollongong City Council meeting, the results of an expression of interest (EOI) process conducted over summer are revealed.

After completing a master planning process for the Gardens, Council went to market looking for new opportunities to enliven the visitor experience “by encouraging creative, market-led partnerships to deliver cafes, ecotourism, events and education-based experiences that activate the site”.

No interest in historic cottage

In response, Council received eight proposals, including one from POD Emporium and Espresso for a cafe, but only with Council’s assistance to provide a site and fit-out.

Council had hoped a cafe operator might take an interest in setting up within the historic Cratloe Cottage in the heart of the gardens but the report to Council made it clear: “There is no commercial appetite to fully fund refurbishment and operation of a stand-alone cafe in this facility or (any) other location within the Botanic Garden at the present time without Council support.”

That news will disappoint regulars and Friends of the Garden who had hoped the EOI process might finally help deliver a cafe in one of Wollongong’s most visited attractions. During the master planning process. Lord Mayor Tania Brown expressed her hope a cafe might be in the mix, saying it seemed every botanic garden had a place where people could enjoy a cuppa.

Tree climb attraction

A total of eight submissions were received by Council during the EOI process. The one that appears to have most captured Council’s attention is for a Tree climb – an environmental education and nature-based eco-tourism operation – which just might be able to accommodate a small cafe.

The report to Council says the Treeclimb proposal could have “regional tourism reach” and “due to the unique nature of the Treeclimb product, it is recommended that Council enter direct negotiations to refine the proposal, explore commercial aspects and conduct key stakeholder consultations prior to the lodgement of a development application.”

Monthly market stalls

Other submissions which caught the eye of Council staff include regular monthly markets with up to 50 stalls that, together with seasonal food and beverage curated festival events, could be trialled in the warmer months.

Other proposals Council staff believe are worth exploring are guided forest therapy walks (Forest Bathing) and small-scale Neighbours of the Garden food-based gatherings and educational activities.

A proposal from PlanetWork to establish a 20-place childcare centre in a refurbished Cratloe Cottage is not supported by Council staff. “It is preferred to maintain education program delivery from this facility over dedicating this space to a childcare facility which would restrict access to the broadest cross section of the community,” the report to Council says.

Council will discuss the report when it meets next Monday night.