Corrimal in 2027

CORRIMAL in the year 2027 will be a very different place if the local Chamber of Commerce achieves its bold new vision for the district.

A “postcard” feature park and a third mall by 2017 - as well as room for an additional 20,000 residents - are just some of the major features included in the chamber’s newly launched draft plan.

Corrimal Chamber of Commerce Secretary Dick Bradley said the plans represent the chamber’s contribution to the “Corrimal District Centre Revitalisation Strategy”, which was initiated by Wollongong City Council.

“We have adopted what we call a ‘blue sky approach’ – meaning we have approached things with an open mind, with an open view – the sky’s the limit,” Mr Bradley said.

“It is a futuristic and idealistic vision of what we would like to see if we were given a blank canvas without restrictions.”

The proposed public park included in the draft plan involves the area south of Short Street encompassing Robert Ziems Park and adjacent public land.

Chamber Vice-President Bruce Anderson said the park would provide Corrimal with a much needed “point of distinction” to characterise the area and act as a tourism drawcard.

The addition of a third mall to Corrimal CBD would see the creation of a triangulated linkage with the existing two shopping centres, with the new structure to be located on the site of the Underwood Car Park.

The chamber said its CBD plans were aimed at retaining a balance between malls and strip shopping in the general area between Short Street and Collins Street, while also facilitating the creation of a condensed public area.

The focus would be on paved pedestrian areas and outdoor dining and entertainment sites.

Mr Anderson said the chamber’s vision for Corrimal would unfold over the course of two decades.

“Beyond 2017 the major project involves the re-development of the Railway Street coke works site into a major building project encompassing a substantial shopping centre, community based services, an integrated medical centre and with provision for units for residential occupation,” he said.

“These visionary proposals include an overhead Bridge at Corrimal Railway Crossing and an underpass at the Railway Street intersection with the Northern Distributor.”

Corrimal Chamber of Commerce President, Peter Leiner, said he encouraged local residents to view the draft paper on the chamber’s website at www.corrimalchamber.com.au and to make their opinions heard.

“We welcome feedback as it is a vital part of the process of gaining community and stakeholder consultation on such a highly important matter as this,” Mr Leiner said.