Sharks decision expected within days

It is understood the Planning Assessment Commission could make its determination before the weekend, but an announcement is more likely next week.

The public consultation process was completed on Thursday when about 100 registered speakers expressed their views at a meeting at Rydges Hotel, Cronulla.

A commission spokeswoman declined to give a breakdown and said only that ‘‘speakers presented a range of views, both for and against the proposal’’ during morning, afternoon and evening sessions.

‘‘The commission has a lot to consider before it comes to a decision on the project,’’ she said.

‘‘Once the decision is made, the commission’s determination report will be placed on the website within two working days.’’

However, the decision may become public before that as the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Planning Minister Brad Hazzard, the Sharks and its development partner will be advised earlier.

Before the public meeting, the three-member commission panel met with the club and developer and had separate meetings with senior staff of Sutherland Shire Council and Cronulla MP Mark Speakman.

Former National Party MP and minister in the Greiner and Fahey governments, Garry West, is chairman of the three-member commission panel, which includes Gabrielle Kibble, a former NSW Department of Planning head, and architect Richard Thorp.

Opening the public meeting, Mr West said the panel had the power to accept or reject the Planning Department’s recommendation for approval, or vary the draft conditions.

He said the panel was an independent body made up of part-time members who had experience in planning and related fields.

Mr West said the meeting was not a debate and asked speakers to focus their attention on the assessment report.

He apologised for setting a five-minute limit, but said it was necessary given the number of speakers.

FINAL ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE PROPOSAL

SPEAKERS during the first 90 minutes of the meeting, for which the Leader was present, presented arguments previously well covered in news reports and online comments.

Those in favour spoke of the community and social benefits the development would bring, including jobs, new shopping and medical centres, more affordable housing and the football club's long-term survival.

Speakers opposing the plan said it would create major parking and traffic problems and argued that the scale of the residential component was not in keeping with the area and would set a precedent.

In favour

SHARKS captain Paul Gallen said the project would not only provide a boost for the club and its supporters but an extra shopping centre and jobs for children like his own.

Sharks forward Ben Ross said he was the owner of a pharmacy in Cronulla Plaza and while the development would bring more competition, it would "save the area" hit by job losses and financial difficulties.

Sports Minister and Miranda MP Graham Annesley said he was not qualified to give opinions "about things like size, density, or traffic impacts . . . but in some development applications there were wider implications than just the bricks and mortar issues".

"If the club folds due to financial pressures, the repercussions will be felt far beyond just Sharks fans in the shire," he said.

Opposed

ANNETTE Hogan, of Cronulla Dunes and Wetlands Protection Alliance, said the NSW Department of Planning had completely disregarded the views of the council and the proposal did not meet the director-general's requirements.

Ms Hogan said that to meet the department's own criteria for a new town centre the surrounding area would require an additional 3500 to 8000 dwellings, equivalent to another 10-20 "Northies".

Sutherland Shire mayor Carol Provan, who spoke later in the day and forwarded her comments to the Leader, said she wanted to see the Sharks survive, but not at the expense of a poor strategic outcome.

Fourteen of the shire's 15 councillors did not support the proposal, she said.

Councillor Provan said that in 2009 the council had supported a development on the site of five stories, 138 units, a 150-room hotel and a 2600 square metre retail area.

"The current proposal is 14 stories, 600 units and a largely expanded retail area of around 15,000 square metres," she said.