Restaurants and businesses in Crown Lane, Wollongong, have been banned from using the street for outdoor dining due to fire safety concerns linked to the adjacent Wollongong Central shopping centre. The ban has left the laneway empty, disappointing local business owners who had invested heavily in revitalising the area.
Adam Murphy, owner of Humber bar, expressed his disappointment, stating that his business had spent tens of thousands of dollars on street planters, lighting, and other improvements to make the area more attractive. He described the ban as a step backwards for the neglected area, which had seen significant private investment to boost its appeal.
Murphy acknowledged that Wollongong City Council had acted appropriately, having initially received written advice from NSW Fire before the outdoor dining project began, only for the fire authority to later change its position. He believes the council also wanted the outdoor dining to continue.
The ban affects not only outdoor dining but also the overall ambiance of Crown Lane, which had become lively with greenery, plants, lighting, and music. Murphy noted that the setback undermines efforts to improve nightlife and attract people to this part of the central business district.
Crown Lane had been highlighted in the council's Wollongong City Centre Movement and Place Plan as a successful location for outdoor dining, with more than 250 people using the laneway during the Laneways Live festival. The plan had labelled outdoor dining a key improvement.
In a statement, Wollongong City Council said its top priority is community safety. The council is working with affected businesses to remove outdoor dining infrastructure and will keep the laneway temporarily closed to vehicles to maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment. It also plans to facilitate discussions between stakeholders to explore short- and long-term options for fire compliance while activating the laneway, including potential outdoor dining opportunities.
