That old chestnut: Cars making a comeback to Crown Street Mall gets a reality check
The Weekly Wrap: Lord Mayor hits brakes on any mall u-turn; Clean Energy Roadmap launch + more awards up for grabs
Lower Crown Street in celebratory mood, plus (from top) Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown, Ty Christopher and Coralie McCarthy.
It’s one of those “Wollongong topics” - a bit like the Gong-specific “palm tree up a pole” art installation debate. This one is the always popular “let’s reopen Crown Street Mall to traffic again” refrain. But wait, says Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown. The tide may be changing.
Cr Brown came away from a discussion with businesses at the lower end of the Crown Street Mall with a renewed understanding: “We certainly talked about the mall because they always bring up opening it to traffic, but this time they weren't as keen.”
She cited work on The Globe development in the CBD, work at Lang’s Corner and the potential of another development as contributing factors. “There's potential of another construction site about to happen in that area as well. You can see it in some of the leases are moving around a bit to make way.
“So they actually don't want further disruption happening in the mall at the moment. We will come back around to reviewing how the mall works. But at the moment, you've got so many moving pieces that we just need to hold fire, the Lord Mayor said.
Illawarra Clean Energy Roadmap launch
Business Illawarra will launch the Illawarra Clean Energy Roadmap, a bold strategy to position the region as the nation’s leading clean energy hub, next week.
Backed by Business Illawarra and developed with the University of Wollongong, the roadmap outlines how the region can lead in offshore wind, green hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing: building on its industrial strengths, REZ status, and globally competitive port infrastructure.
“This is a pivotal moment for our region,” Business Illawarra director Coralie McCarthy said. “The roadmap lays the foundation for Illawarra to lead the nation in clean energy innovation, driving economic growth and opportunity across the entire region.”
The plan identifies challenges and investment opportunities, paving the way for billions in clean energy investment and thousands of new jobs.
The director of UOW’s Energy Futures Network, Ty Christopher said the launch starts the journey from vision to reality: “This roadmap is a critical step in aligning our region’s strengths with the demands of a clean energy future.”
Government, industry and research leaders will attend the July 9 launch at UOW’s Innovation Campus. Contact Businesses Illawarra, info@businessillawarra.com, for more details.
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Flare Awards 2025
The Small Business Hub says it’s “where bold ambition meets strategic action, and community means more than connection”.
And it’s driven by Illawarra-based founder Kelly McNamara, who launched the second Flare Awards this week: "Flare was created to disrupt the traditional awards format. These women aren't just 'doing well'—they're changing the game, and they deserve a platform that reflects that," McNamara said.
Now in its second year, the awards offer 10 distinct categories including Community Champion, Flare of the Year, and Women Changing The World, each designed to recognise excellence in entrepreneurship, leadership, creativity, and community contribution. The 2025 Flare Awards’ red-carpet gala will be held in Wollongong on Friday, September 26, 2025. Finalists from across the country be showcased and Jules Brooke, founder of She's the Boss Group, will deliver the keynote. Here’s where to nominate.
What we’re listening to
This one comes with a disclaimer: it’s raw, a bit ranty, and a bit sweary in parts. But, to be fair, it just might prompt a bit of roundtable discussion in the lunchroom or around the dinner table if you’re open-minded and up for a respectful conversation.
It’s called We Used To Be Journos, and is the first podcast from friends - and partners in the new independent media venture, Ette - Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf. The latter only recently won her case of unfair dismissal against the ABC and, the background behind it, occupies most of this debut chat. Find out more here.
Hot ticket
Dog Trumpet, spearheaded by brothers Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa (original members of iconic Aussie band Mental As Anything) will spend Sunday at The Servo in Port Kembla. Shifted to Sunday after an earlier clash of dates, expect to hear their new single, Ding Dong Butterfly, from their new album. It happens between 4pm-9pm at the Wentworth St venue - complete with Roy’s kitchen pop-up. Tickets here.