New signage and a reduction in red tape to encourage more outdoor activity in Wentworth Street are two initiatives driven by local Labor representatives Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP, and Ward 3 Councillor Vicky King, as a down payment on Port Kembla’s future.

The amendments to Wollongong City Council’s Port Kembla Revitalisation Plan, adopted by Wollongong City Council on Monday night, reflect priorities raised by Port Kembla residents and small business operators with Mr Scully and Cr King.

There have been a number of plans for Port Kembla in the past but often many of the initiatives in those plans were not implemented and that is why Mr Scully and Cr King believed it was necessary to take some early steps to encourage people to shop, stay and enjoy the vibrancy of the Port Kembla community.

Amendments to the Port Kembla Revitalisation Plan moved by Cr King and supported by Labor councillors means that Port Kembla businesses and residents will see implementation action fully funded in the 2018-19 Council budget.

Mr Scully and Cr King will be available for comment on these changes at 10am this morning at the corner of Wentworth and Allan Streets, Port Kembla.

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“Port Kembla residents and businesses want to see action, not rehashed plans, and I am pleased that in working with Cr King and the Labor Councillors action will start in the Council budget due in a matter of weeks.

“For a long time I have been pointing out the need for better signage and need for red tape reduction so that Port Kembla small businesses can encourage more people to visit them and it is great that the Labor Councillors have listened and supported these ideas.”

Comments attributable to Cr Vicky King:

“There is no point encouraging people to shop, stay and experience all that Port Kembla has to offer if they cannot find their way around because of a lack of decent signage.

“If Council is really going to support the revitalisation of Port Kembla then it has to have some skin in the game and that starts with this down payment on Port Kembla’s future in the next Council budget; not a promise sometime in the future.”