Wollongong's rainbow crossing has a new home.
Last night, as many of us enjoyed our Sunday evening, the distinctive rainbow road markings were painted onto a pedestrianised link between the parking bays on Marine Drive opposite the Ted Tobin Viewing Platform.
The new location for the crossing is part of a broader piece of work to improve safety, amenity and accessibility along the foreshore precinct.
"We know there are many people who stopped to check out the original rainbow crossing on Cliff Road and while this was a great location, we did have concerns about community safety because it was shared with vehicles,'' Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"This new location is in a pedestrian only area and is protected by bollards either side and is located between the two car parks alongside Lang Park. It makes sense to be here – plus it's a pretty photogenic spot for a Insta shot.''
The original rainbow crossing has been removed as part of the schedule of works.
Rainbow crossings are used worldwide as a visual acknowledgement and celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The original crossing was painted in December 2019 on Cliff Road as a reflection of Wollongong's status as an inclusive and welcoming city.
"I can't quite believe it has been more than five years since the city's original rainbow crossing was painted,'' Cr Brown said.
"Now, just as then, the crossing is such an important symbol to the members of our city's LGBTQAI+ community that they are welcome here and that message hasn't changed.''
The new crossing is the latest step in a series of changes along the foreshore precinct that included the addition of 43 free 2-hour parking spaces in the former bus layover on Marine Drive, 2 more mobility parking spaces and 6 motorcycle spaces within the Lang Park area.
The speed cushions along Cliff Road, which were removed to support the 2025 World Triathlon Championship held last October, have also been reinstalled and final designs are underway for pedestrian crossing improvements along the foreshore.
"We know our foreshore area is a key location in our city – not only as a space of social activities, recreation and exercise for those who live in the City Centre, but people from across the local government area,'' Cr Brown said.
"Plus, the harbour area is a major drawcard for day-trippers and visitors. The works Council is carrying out in this area help us to showcase the foreshore and support the safe movement of people through this precinct.''
Cr Brown said work would also start soon on the extension of the Emma McKeon Promenade at North Wollongong Beach. The project sees the continuation of the works undertaken in Stage 1 with the aged crib wall between the North Wollongong Surf Club and North Beach Bathers Pavilion replaced with a stepped wall.
"It's exciting when you can see that the site preparation works are already happening in this precinct and that's clearly demonstrating that things are moving forward here,'' Cr Brown said.
