And let’s not forget the mall and its need of a major overhaul.
In the city alone there are plans for a $300 million plus West Keira Centre development and some $200 million for the controversial Gravity plan.
The area where the West Keira development is proposed is already tight as far as transport goes, and the mind boggles at the thought of the chaos that will ensue when the building work really begins.
And while the proposed Gravity site when finished is said to offer 1150 car parking spaces it’s not all that accessible anyway.
Proponents of these schemes believe they will be the new lifeblood of the city centre and the shoppers will come thronging back.
But it will not happen without a more detailed plan and follow up action on smoother road traffic movement and easier to access parking and a reshaping of a mall that is boring to say the least.
There’s also the opposition from what will be an expanded Shellharbour Centre which, I understand, will offer as many as 3000 car parking spaces.
Anyway it might all be too late as improved shopping at Dapto, Corrimal and Thirroul and a revamp at Warrawong all offer comfortable solutions for their locals.
I just hear more and more people who live outside the immediate city precinct saying they are getting improved local services so why would you drive into the ‘Gong and struggle to find a park?
And I know for myself, for example, the opening of a Lowes menswear shop at Dapto has been welcomed with open arms by many of the menfolk down that way who now see no reason for them to drive to Wollongong to satisfy their clothing needs.
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The knives are out
The recent claims made by former city councillor Frank Gigliotti against fellow ALP member Noreen Hay about clandestine meetings involving some property developers may have opened another floodgate.
With the ICAC inquiry findings not fully released here we have the makings of a brawl inside Labor ranks.
And the Gigliotti claims couldn’t have come at a worse time for the already embattled Member for Wollongong whose head must rest uneasily on the chopping block, although it seems wishy washy Maurice “Who” doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude to drop the axe in the right place.
Your Opinion Counts. Click here >>>>>>>>>>>>> A sad day, but…..
News filtering through at the weekend about problems faced by the Returned Soldiers League ( RSL ) being able to remain something of a force in the community is sad to say the least.
Evidently an ever increasing aged membership has some thing to do with it, but this is also being evidenced in some areas with Rotary and other like organisations.
With Apex and Junior Chamber of Commerce also struggling, and they are supposed to aim their attention at the 18 to 40 age groups, it also seems our youth is being somewhat neglected as far as becoming involved in community work.
This is a pity and is something that needs to somehow be addressed. How, I’m not quite sure!
Your Opinion Counts. Click here >>>>>>>>>>>>> NRL woes continue
The Sonny Bill Williams walk out from the NRL despite having a five year contract with the Bulldogs is just another kick in the stomach for a struggling organisation.
Club loyalty seems to have lost any meaning at all and the mind boggles at what might happen next.
One can imagine the thoughts going through the minds of other young super stars like Johnathan Thurston and Melbourne trio Inglis, Filou and Slater.
And on top of the Williams fiasco the NRL could draw less than 100 000 to matches – only 7000 at Monday night’s Dragons – Bulldogs game - played in the recent round which when you compare it with 12 000 odd at a netball final in Sydney and a like amount at WIN Entertainment Centre on Monday night to watch the Australian Opals beat Brazil in a women’s basketball clash is very poor indeed.
Surely, the future value of playing games at Telstra Stadium also has to become a high ranked agenda item.
Maybe NRL clubs also need to look more closely at their own management, many of whom have been around for years. Get some younger blood in and have a new look at the sport, its obvious failings and get some modern ideas introduced to bring it back on its feet.
But, are those younger executive types out there any more?
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