Wollongong City Council : State funding for Wongawilli Rd project

Wollongong City Council has welcomed the announcement of a $2.4 million grant from the NSW Government to widen and upgrade Wongawilli Rd at West Dapto.

Council successfully sought the grant through the Resources for Regions program to assist in funding key elements of the project.

The project will provide:

• Rail crossing upgrades on Shone Ave
• Installation of traffic signals at corner of Shone Ave and West Dapto Rd.
• Widening and upgrade of West Dapto and Wongawilli roads including the provision of a shared pathway catering for pedestrians and cyclists
• Replacement and upgrade of bridge on Wongawilli Rd (immediately west of Shone Ave intersection); and
• Construction of a flood diversion channel to direct stormwater away from the existing Wongawilli Village.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery OAM said the Wongawilli Access Project will significantly improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in Wongawilli.

'This growing suburb, located in the West Dapto Urban Release Area, is subject to major mine affectation, being adjacent to coal mining operations at the Wongawilli Colliery, owned by Wollongong Coal,' he said.

'This project will address the risks presented by the current railway crossing at the intersection of Shone Ave and West Dapto Rd. Coal trains use this line twice a day, 365 days a year, when the mine is operating.

'We're pleased the NSW Government is supporting this project that will ensure we can construct major infrastructure for this growing residential area that integrates safely with the existing operational infrastructure of the Wongawilli Colliery.'

Resources for Regions is a NSW Government funding program that returns a portion of mining royalties to communities impacted by mining.

For more information you can contact Council's Customer Service on [phone] or visit Council's website.