CORRIMAL’S much-loved ‘Green-Frog’ has gone missing from Corrimal Park.

This week the former South Bulli Locomotive was moved from its permanent home in Corrimal Park for restoration works.

Known affectionately as the Green Frog, when it hauled coal from the South Bulli Colliery to the jetty at Bellambi early last century, the loco has been removed for restoration and repainting by Wollongong City Council.

The project will involve the removal of rusted steel before it’s repainted green.

The train has been taken off-site for the works, craned onto a truck in the dead of the night to minimise impact to road and footpath users.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the loco has been a regular fixture in and around Corrimal since 1909 when it was originally used to haul coal from the South Bulli Colliery to the jetty at Bellambi.

“This train is well-loved by many in our community,” he said.

“She has taken pride of place in the park at Corrimal for more than 50 years, after being donated by the Bellambi Coal Co to the Lions Club of Corrimal for installation in the park.

“Over those years, Council has cared for and maintained the train and now it’s time for a little TLC and another coat of fresh green paint. We look forward to seeing her back in the park in a few months’ time.”

The project is funded by the NSW Government in association with Wollongong City Council. The loco is expected to be returned to the park later this year.

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