Wollongong City Council will hold an Information Forum tonight for City Centre businesses and property owners to brainstorm the way forward for operations, events and marketing of the City Centre.

The forum will be held at Wollongong City Gallery from 5pm to 7pm tonight.

Council’s City Centre Revitalisation Manager Mark Grimson said this is a great opportunity for all key stakeholders to put their heads together and come up with the best options for the future of the CBD.

“Council is coordinating the forum to listen to businesses and property owners about the opportunities for the future and provide a forum for them to have their say on the future operations of the City Centre,” said Mr Grimson.

“The forum is a key part of our engagement with businesses in preparation for Council taking back responsibility of the operations of the Mall from 1 November 2011.

“The operations include security and CCTV, graffiti removal and access for deliveries, along with marketing, events and activities in the Mall and greater City Centre,” said Mark Grimson.

“The night will include discussion groups on three broad areas: operations, marketing and events. All participants will be involved in workshops on each topic,

“Council will present the main concepts of the draft City Centre Marketing Plan which has been developed with information from a broad range of stakeholders including GPT, Myers, David Jones, Neighbourhood Forum 5 and many other groups.”

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM supports the initiative. “On 1 November Council takes back the management of the City Centre. This is an exciting opportunity for the people of our city and will provide the platform to engage more directly with business and property owners,” said Councillor Gordon Bradbery.

“I am pleased to be able to lead our city in this challenging time. This is a great opportunity for the city to get it right and to work as one to ensure the best of outcomes.”

Council will continue to work with key stakeholders in the economic, manufacturing and business sectors to create a resilient, vibrant and diversified city.

For more information on tonight’s Information Forum visit www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au, call (02) 4227 7888 or email citycentrerevitalistion@wollongong.nsw.gov.au