The streetscape of Warrawong Town Centre is set to change this week with the demolition of buildings on the corner of King and Greene Streets.
The demolition of the Council-owned vacant properties at 54-68 King Street and 7-9 Greene Street is expected to be completed within four months, with works being undertaken to prepare the site for the future Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library project.
While the demolition is underway, community members are asked to allow additional travel time through Warrawong Town Centre and to follow the advice and direction of traffic controllers.
There will be mitigation strategies in place to reduce the impact on the surrounding community.
"This is an exciting first step towards a reinvigorated town centre that will benefit residents of our southern suburbs," City of Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said.
"The removal of these empty buildings will allow for detailed site investigations to be carried out in preparation for the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library project to get underway.''
These works herald exciting changes for the busy suburb, which includes the proposed addition of new traffic lights at the intersection of Greene Street, Montgomery Avenue and King Street, and further upgrades to the Warrawong CBD including improved footpaths, roads and street lighting.
"Investing in our suburbs is one of this Council's top priorities, and that means delivering improved footpaths, roads and public spaces across the region,'' Cr Brown said.
"So, as we're investing in quality community facilities, it's essential we ensure that the amenity and accessibility is also considered. It makes sense to consider these projects holistically and to undertake works concurrently where possible.
Following a successful development application for the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library, Council is optimistic that the Federal Government will see the community benefit and the value of providing grant funding to support the delivery of this project.
"Our local State and Federal representatives and Council have been united in the fight for additional funding to deliver the much needed, inclusive and functional facility that residents of our southern suburbs deserve,'' Wollongong City Council Director Community Services Kerry Hunt said.
"We've had many constructive conversations with both State and Federal Government representatives, and we've been clear in our desire to deliver a fantastic facility to support a range of services for residents in our southern suburbs, which includes some areas of significant disadvantage.
"I am hopeful that they're keen to invest in this project so that Wollongong Council can deliver this facility for our community sooner than later.''
