Release Date: 13/12/2011
The Illawarra Business Chamber (IBC) is disappointed by the decision of Wollongong Councillors to proceed with the Mall plan that the Administrators approved earlier this year.
“This decision can only be described as a missed opportunity for our city,” said Les Dion, President of the IBC.
“The decision by GPT to proceed with a significant investment in the CBD showed that investor confidence is starting to return to Wollongong. But tonight’s decision is unlikely to trigger a broader up-tick in investment.
Council’s decision to stick with the modest upgrade, which is currently before the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP), will still mean that no construction work will commence until March 2013.
“The IBC had spoken extensively to Councillors about concerns around the current plans, including the lack of an economic impact assessment to evaluate if the current proposed design delivers the best possible jobs and economic activity return for rate-payers money.
“The current $15 million upgrade will de-clutter the Mall, which is a positive. However, the current design does not take into account either the GPT decision or the broader work Council staff have been doing on the city centre re-vitalisation, which was largely done subsequent to this design.
“We understand that the Liberal Councillors did try to have some economic analysis done on aspects of the design, so rate payers could be assured they are getting value for money. But that this was not supported by the majority of Councillors.
“We need a Mall that works harder for the region. We think the Mall could deliver more for the city - more economic activity, more entertainment options and more community interaction opportunities.
“Without the economic assessment and an understanding of how this Mall design will interact with the GPT project, we cannot be sure that this design will deliver for the Wollongong community," concluded Mr. Dion.