Wollongong residents have put forward a mix of bold and practical visions for the future of the city's key entry point, with ideas ranging from a Las Vegas-inspired welcome sign to a crucial new road tunnel.
Public Weighs In on Flinders Street Precinct
In December 2025, Wollongong City Council launched a public consultation as part of its Flinders Street Precinct Review, seeking community input on how to shape the major 'arrival boulevard' into the city. The call for ideas has sparked a lively debate, revealing both serious infrastructure concerns and a touch of local humour.
Among the more playful suggestions, which emerged multiple times, is the installation of a large sign inspired by the famous 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' landmark. An artist's impression created by the Illawarra Mercury imagines what a 'Welcome to Fabulous Wollongong' version could look like near the Gilligan's Island roundabout at Foley Street, where existing palm trees already lend a suitable vibe.
Serious Calls for Traffic and Access Solutions
Beyond the novelty sign, residents and former tourism leaders are highlighting urgent needs driven by rapid development. With high-density apartment buildings rising on both sides of Flinders Street, creating a new access route to Beaton Park has been labelled a necessity.
Former Destination Wollongong boss Matt Davidson argued that a proper crossing at Gipps Street is essential for both vehicles and pedestrians. He warned that the volume of new residents in planned apartments will create significant transport challenges.
"Gipps St to Beaton Park needs one lane each way plus a shared path as an absolute minimum," Davidson stated. "It will take more than a shared path to handle moving that many people around and through the city."
Echoing this call for major infrastructure, Mark Sleigh, another former Destination Wollongong figure, urged the council to "think big." He proposed constructing a tunnel under the railway line on Gipps Street to serve cars and bicycles travelling to the university and connecting east to west. "Rethink the way the city works properly not bureaucratically," Sleigh said.
Beach Links, Footpaths, and Tree Concerns
Other suggestions from readers on the Illawarra Mercury's Facebook page focused on improving connections to North Beach. Some proposed better walking paths, while others even floated the idea of a light rail link.
Fixing deteriorating footpaths to remove trip hazards was another repeated concern. "The paths are disgraceful," commented reader Janelle Allen, who asked for a new walking path from the train station to North Beach.
The desire for more greenery was also prominent, with readers like Marcia Nielson suggesting the planting of native Illawarra flame trees along the boulevard. However, this idea came with caution, as several commenters worried that poorly chosen trees could create future problems for footpaths and infrastructure.
The consultation also provided an opportunity for residents to critique other council projects. Several commenters took a jab at the now-notorious palm tree mounted on a pole in Crown Street Mall, making it clear they did not support such designs for Flinders Street.
A sense of urgency, tinged with frustration, was evident in some responses. Readers like John Quinn suggested that with numerous apartment blocks already approved or under construction along Flinders Street, comprehensive planning for the city's gateway might be coming too late. "[You're] supposed to shut the gate before the horse gets out not after it has left," Quinn remarked.
Finally, a contingent of respondents believed the council's priorities were misplaced. Several argued that action to revitalise the ailing Crown Street Mall, including potentially reopening it to traffic, should take precedence over plans for Flinders Street.
The council's review continues as it collates this wide-ranging feedback to shape the future of one of Wollongong's most important corridors.
