The Blue Mile – Wollongong Foreshore Master Plan

Abstract

A common problem for city foreshores is the condition of aging infrastructure. Materials used previously for footpaths, fencing and furniture are often found to be unsuitable due to selection, cost constraints, availability of materials at the time and construction methods.

Exposed to harsh, coastal, salt laden winds combined with increasing and constant usage public domain infrastructure can quickly deteriorate over time. Challenges such as diverse stakeholders and ongoing financial constraint need to be surmounted. The spectacular coastal scenery which attracts the public for recreational purposes can result in the rusting litter bin or cracked footpath being tolerated well past design life. However ongoing risk needs to be considered.

The Wollongong City foreshore precinct was increasingly under pressure from changing lifestyles and escalating patterns of use. These included increases in traffic volume, antisocial activities, visitation by locals and tourists alike, and population density within and surrounding the precinct.  Demand had outgrown the ability of existing infrastructure to provide appropriate amenity, and connectivity and the expression of the city within its magnificent foreshore was missing.

The Revitalising Wollongong City Centre Plan (2006) set a 25 year strategic framework for the city centre to grow into a prosperous, vibrant and attractive regional city. The city centre foreshore is highlighted as a critical component of that vision and the plan identified redevelopment of the city foreshore as one of eight civic improvement projects that present major opportunities to achieve the vision for the growth, revitalisation and development of the city centre.

The city centre strategy was endorsed by Wollongong City Council in November 2006, and included a new Local Environmental Plan (LEP), Development Control Plan (DCP), and Civic Improvement Plan (CIP) which provide the necessary planning context for the development of The Blue Mile Master Plan.

The Blue Mile Master Plan was endorsed by council in 2007 and sets out the strategic framework for foreshore improvements adjacent to the Wollongong CBD. The Wollongong City Centre Strategy 2006, included a new Local Environmental Plan (LEP), Development Control Plan (DCP), and Civic Improvement Plan (CIP) which provided the necessary planning context for the development of The Blue Mile Master Plan.

The need for an overarching plan to improve the foreshore in a coordinated way was recognised by council’s Landscape Architecture Section and Design Division management in 2004.  As it progressed, it quickly resonated with both council and the wider community and the project tapped into an existing groundswell of support and enthusiasm. Branded the Blue Mile – Blue for the ocean and sky and Mile for both the physical distance and important heritage values - the project has been enthusiastically received as it has developed, and has been the recipient of several funding grants from both state and federal government.

full report also available as a PDF