Let’s chat Windang session launched

As our city recovers from last month’s declared natural disaster, Wollongong City Council is holding a number of face-to-face drop-in sessions to meet and talk with local community members.

The Let’s Chat community drop-ins are being set up as a way to hear directly from people about their issues and concerns after the April 6 flooding.

Held between 1pm and 6.30pm on a Friday, the meetings will have subject matter experts available from key Council areas to listen to residents and to share their knowledge and expertise.

“Following the event on April 6, Wollongong City Council staff have been very present in our community, talking with residents throughout the clean-up and recovery phases,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“We know many people appreciated how we mobilised our staff out of their usual roles to assist with the city’s clean up and the coordinated way we continue to prioritise repairs to key infrastructure and seek to get the city back on its feet as soon as possible.

“This job is far from done and these meetings are being set up in Windang and Thirroul to provide an opportunity for community members to continue to have direct contact with Council staff.

“This is an opportunity to engage with Council staff as we continue to work through and prioritise rebuilding and repairing those parts of our city significantly impacted by recent rain and storm events. We need to focus our limited resources for the greatest immediate benefit.’’

The first of the meetings will be held on Friday 24 May from 1pm until 6.30pm at Windang Senior Citizens Centre.

There will be Council representatives on hand who can talk to Council infrastructure and assets, planning for Lake Illawarra and floodplain and stormwater management. We are also working to have representatives from other key agencies on hand to speak with residents.

“There is nothing like local knowledge,’’ Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said.

“By linking up representatives from our team who have extensive technical and practical knowledge with those who live in Windang we’re able to check in on what we’re seeing and hearing and make sure it’s in alignment with residents’ perceptions and needs.’’

“We want to make sure we’re listening to and responding to local issues and concerns whether they’re something that is within Council’s remit, or something that we’re able to advocate for with other agencies.’’

Mr Doyle said Council knew there was a passionate community in Windang who wanted action around the erosion on the banks of Lake Illawarra caused by the Lake Entrance being opened, which has been exacerbated by the huge rainfalls we’ve been experiencing.

“The April 6 event, and the resulting escalation of bank erosion, has mean there’s a greater urgency for stakeholders and key agencies, all of whom have responsibilities in the ongoing management of this important site, to get around a table and come up with a way forward,’’ he said.

“We’ll have information on the work we’ve done, we’ve been doing and the next steps we’ll be able to share with community at this session.’’

A Let’s Chat Thirroul session will be held on Friday 7 June at Thirroul Community Centre & Library from 12.30pm – 6.30pm. Further details of this session will be shared closer to the date.