Temporary fix to help keep beach regulars caffeinated

The imminent closure of two iconic waterfront venues has created a headscratcher for the thousands who rely on Diggies and its adjoining cafe for coffees, burgers and fish and chips.

What will they do to satisfy their caffeine and casual food needs when these iconic businesses close at North Wollongong Beach in the next few weeks?

Wollongong City Council believes it has a solution, and will allow for the opening of a pop-up cafe to be located nearby on the Blue Mile to cater for the needs of many beach-goers.

Diggies and the North Beach Cafe are among the most popular and busiest casual dining venues in the Illawarra. It‘s not unusual for long queues to form outside both venues on a typical sunny day.

As reported in The Illawarra Flame, following a messy process late last year, council approved (on its second attempt) an extension of the lease for both venues for a period of 15 years, but it hasn’t publicly revealed the terms of that lease. Council’s general manager, Greg Doyle, withdrew from the tender process when he declared a conflict of interest.

Part of the new tender arrangement will require both Diggies and the cafe to close from the end of this month to allow major works to start on the second stage of the sea wall extension south from the surf club.

The closure will allow for substantial upgrading works to take place at both Diggies and the cafe. Council is yet to release details on the cost of the sea wall works or the upgrading of Diggies and the cafe.

Council this week released its plans to deal with a dilemma which has been playing on the minds of the many regulars (your author included) who rely on those businesses about to close for their daily fix.

Council is planning to provide a licence to the current operator, North Kiosk Pty Ltd, to operate a temporary cafe for up to 12 months while the noisy and disruptive sea wall works are under way. The location is just to the north of the surf club on a grassy area of Emma McKeon Promenade.

In its public notification, council says “the temporary kiosk will enable the continuation of kiosk operations for the duration of this period and will be removed once the permanent North Beach Kiosk is able to recommence trading".

The Illawarra Flame has requested details on the commercial agreement for the operation of the pop-up from council.

While council hopes the sea wall works will be completed by the end of this year, the proposed licence term is for up to 12 months. The community has until 12 midday on March 2 to make submissions.

Meanwhile neighbouring cafes, including the North Beach Pavilion, Pepe’s and Connie’s, can expect a big trading year when they step up to fill the void left by the upcoming business closures.

Council was approached for comment.

Pop-up kiosk licence for 12 months

On Monday, February 9, in response to Illawarra Flame enquiries, Wollongong Council confirmed that it proposes to grant a short-term licence to North Kiosk Pty Ltd to operate a temporary pop-up kiosk located on part of Stuart Park.

"The proposed pop-up kiosk will be installed for the duration of the closure of the North Beach Kiosk which is required to facilitate Council’s seawall construction works," a council spokesperson said.

"The temporary kiosk will enable kiosk operations to continue during this period and will be removed once the permanent North Beach Kiosk is able to recommence trading. The proposed licence term is for up to 12 months.

"The proposed licence fee forms part of commercial negotiations and is commercial‑in‑confidence. Any outdoor seating included within the licenced area is subject to the final licence terms and relevant approvals. In accordance with the Local Government Act, the proposed licence is currently on public exhibition, with submissions invited until 5 March 2026."

 Regarding North Beach Kiosk, the spokesperson said no lease has been entered into at this stage. "While the statutory public notice period closed on 23 December 2025, objections were received and Council is working through the process."