A refurb of the Kawasaki bridge at the Wollongong Botanic Garden is part of the new master plan for the site. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
A 10-year vision for Wollongong’s Botanic Garden is about to get underway.
A cafe, visitor’s centre, better parking, new toilets and a spruced-up playground are just some of the potential improvements for the region’s biggest park.
Some of those items are more wish-list than to-do list however.
The plan, adopted by Wollongong City Council, already has the budget to tick off several items in the next year or so.
These include a NSW Heritage-approved restoration of Glennifer Brae House, a redesign, restoration and reopening of the Kawasaki bridge and new toilet amenities near the Murphy’s Avenue entrance.
A renewal of the propagation and nursery glasshouse and the operation depot are also budgeted for.
An investigation of the water quality of the duckpond and a new design are funded, along with an expression of interest process for a cafe or nature-based activations, however both of these projects will need more cash to get off the ground.
The cafe operation could be part of a larger design review of the entry precinct near Murphys Avenue carpark which would also include extra barbecue facilities and timed parking.
The limited available parking on and around the gardens was a major concern identified by the community, and the council committed to reviewing timed parking and promoting active transport options including the free city loop shuttle bus.
Other wish-list items from the community included running the Five Islands Mercury Fountain again and upgrading the amphitheatre space.
Both of these projects would come at a considerable cost, financially and through water and energy use.
The money could come from business proposals, grants or other externally sourced funds, but the council doesn’t have the budget to tackle either project alone.
Destination Wollongong head Jeremy Wilshire told the council he was pleased to see a comprehensive plan for the future of the gardens be put in place.
He said a cafe on-site would be key to making the most of the asset.
“They’re beautiful and chronically underutilised,” he said.
“The cafe needs to be a design that is unique, bespoke, considered and championing the natural asset it sits within.
“It also needs to be attractive to a long-term proponent.”
Councillor David Brown said although they weren’t able to include all suggestions from the community the plan struck a good balance between the ambitious and the pragmatic.
“One resident did suggest the city centre skate park be located there,” he said.
“It’s an interesting idea but not one we’ll be advancing tonight.
“There’s still debate over some of the elements but this has been a long time coming and it’s great to see it go forward.”
The council voted unanimously in favour of adopting the master plan, which can be viewed here.
