A RESPECTED community figure is proposing Cronulla be given the tag "village" as a step towards creating a long-term vision for the "iconic" area.
Rod Coy said "Cronulla Village" would reflect the suburb's community nature and ambience.
"Cronulla is not unlike Greek and Italian villages on the Mediterranean, but with an Australian flavour," he said.
Mr Coy has been a volunteer organiser of Sutherland Shire Relay for Life since it started 13 years ago, and chairman for the past 11 years.
The event has raised more than $5 million for Cancer Council NSW, and last year included 2127 participants in 217 teams.
For his work, Mr Coy was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and was also a recipient of the Cook Medal for contributing in the electorate which covers Cronulla.
A Cronulla resident, Mr Coy told last month's public hearings into the draft local environmental plan (LEP) "we are custodians for those who will live here in 2074".
The former school teacher and horticulture business owner told the Leader he was not part of any lobby group but "a concerned resident".
"Like many others, I don't think the draft LEP took into account what is special about Cronulla," he said.
"This is not a normal residential area, but a recreational place for the whole of Sydney," he said. "We are up there with Manly, Bondi and Sydney Harbour. There needs to be a vision of what we want Cronulla to be like in 50 years.
"This should be done in consultation between town planners and the community, rather than the haphazard approach we have seen.
"We need development, and the are some wonderful examples of it, but there are also some shockers."
Mr Coy said he did not think it was too late to "go back to the drawing board" on Cronulla in the draft plan.
"We can either give up and accept it, or move forward and try to change it," he said.
"The community are an intelligent lot so let's bring them in and make them part of the process."
NEXT STEPS
Rod Coy said he would seek public feedback on the proposed name change over the next few months and, if there was strong support, would form a steering committee to advance the idea.
‘‘The Oxford Dictionary says a village can be ‘a self-contained district or community within a city regarded as having features characteristic of village life’,’’ he said.
‘‘In past times, villages were surrounded by agricultural land which the inhabitants worked for their livelihood.
‘‘In Cronulla’s case, we are a community surrounded by coastline which we enjoy and share for recreation with others who in turn contribute to our livelihood.
‘‘A walk along the beach, esplanade, mall, streets and lanes will give us a sense of village life.
‘‘Cronulla’s natural environment is the focal point of our community connection and sense of belonging, hence the surf clubs, cafe culture, people walking and training.’’
‘‘We live in a coastal village, the village of Cronulla.’’
What do you think of the name Cronulla Village, and the need for a ‘‘vision?’
