Changes to the Lang Park precinct

Wollongong City Council is working through a formal agreement to enable Transport for NSW to use a car park area on Marine Drive for buses to return temporarily from 30 January.

The move is part of an ongoing process to work through longer term options for bus layover parking in the city.

“Over the busy holiday period, when our beaches have been getting a real workout, we know that this area has provided more parking options for locals and tourists to this highly visited precinct,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“It was a taste of Council’s long-term vision for this site, which will see it provide more parking options for our foreshore precinct, as well as supporting diverse use of the Lang Park area for a wide range of events.

“For now, this site will be used temporarily as a bus layover for 12 months as we work through the next steps with Transport for NSW, who manage bus operations in the area. We will also work alongside stakeholders from local bus companies and the Transport Workers Union.’’

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle acknowledged the recent alternative bus layovers in place along Harbour, Burelli, Crown and Market streets had caused concern among some residents and business owners.

“I’d like to thank our community for their patience. With buses returning to Marine Drive temporarily, this will provide an opportunity for Transport for NSW to continue firming up their plans for a permanent relocation. We support bus layover locations within the city that meet the needs of our community as well as bus drivers and operators,’’ he said.

“Lang Park is important to our city’s identity. It borders the beach, is a large open space for recreation, exercise and social activities, and is a key piece of our broader foreshore area.

“We look forward to seeing a plan that will free up this vital community space and allow it to be used by our residents and visitors, and align bus facilities with other major transport nodes and key destinations across the Wollongong Local Government Area.’’

This long-term solution is in line with Council’s vision that this space is opened up for our community to use and enjoy as part of an ongoing plan of improvements to our foreshore precinct that stretches from Stuart Park to Lang Park.

“I am excited by the possibilities for its long-term use, and look towards conversations with our community about what that might look like. In the meantime, this location provides a space for buses that also provide an important function in our city.’’