Rip fence down and give beachfront to the people: Greens
Wollongong has a chance to open up prime coastal real estate to the community, a group of councillors insist
As far as prime real estate goes, the central Wollongong waterfront site known as Showground Number Two, is second to none.
After the NSW Greens successfully blocked government plans to convert the site into an extension of the proposed grand revamp of the Wollongong Entertainment Centre and WIN Stadium, Illlawarra Greens want to go a step further.
The land with the multimillion-dollar views has been effectively locked up for many years as the training ground for the Dragons. But now that the Red V has relocated to its new centre of excellence at Fairy Meadow, the land is available for the first time in more than a decade.
Greens councillor Kit Docker believes the community should have a big say in what happens next.
“The land was already designated for community use,” Cr Docker said. “I believe the government should strongly consider opening up the site - including removing the fencing - as a temporary public green space.”
“With more young families calling the Wollongong CBD home, this would provide much-needed additional space for people to play, gather and enjoy the outdoors as our city becomes increasingly dense.
Genuine consultation
“The medium and long-term future of the site should be determined through extensive and genuine community consultation.
“This is a remarkable piece of publicly owned waterfront land and an incredible opportunity for Wollongong. Ideas raised with me have included a world-class convention centre, a permanent public park and a dedicated festival and events space capable of attracting major artists.”
Cr Docker says at this early stage he doesn’t have a fixed view of what should happen with the site, “but the outcome should be ambitious, remain focused on public benefit and reflect a vision shaped with the Wollongong community, not driven by private profit.”
