SCOTT Morrison is ramping up his campaign for a federal government takeover of a historic part of Kurnell by the 250th anniversary of Cook’s landing in 2020.
The Cook MP and Minister for Immigration and Border Control said visitors found the site ‘‘intriguing but underwhelming’’.
He wants ownership transferred from the state to the federal government and management entrusted to a local community trust. The trust would have a diverse membership, including indigenous representatives and people with a background in European history.
The precinct is now managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Mr Morrison, a former managing director of Tourism Australia, said he remained hopeful the ‘‘radical’’ management change and infrastructure improvements he first advocated five years ago could occur by 2020.
Proposed improvements, which he said could be achieved with the help of private sector investment, included a new cafe and restaurant, an upgrade of Captain Cook Drive with separate cycleway and restoration of a ferry service to Kurnell and possibly Brighton-Le-Sands.
Mr Morrison said being in government provided him more opportunity to advance his proposals and he had brought the state government and Sutherland Shire Council ‘‘into the frame’’.
‘‘‘I think it is an amazing site and I talk to visitors and they find it intriguing but underwhelming,’’ he said.
‘‘They go out there and say, ‘Isn’t this where Captain Cook landed?’ and they look around a bit bemused. That’s not a criticism of those involved in managing it, but I think we can do a lot better and 2020 provides an opportunity to do a lot better.
‘‘The Meeting of Two Cultures ceremony out there each year is good, but I think the scope for it is larger. I don’t think we should be in any way uncomfortable about the area’s historical significance and I don’t think anyone in the shire is.
‘‘I have had these discussions with the indigenous community over many years and found a great deal of enthusiasm and warmth towards that site, not just it being the first landing of Cook, but a place of reconciliation, as well and a meeting of two cultures.’’
Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said he had mentioned Mr Morrison’s management proposal to Environment Minister Robyn Parker, who was responsible for Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
‘‘I am happy to look at it in detail, as I expect the minister will be,’’ he said.
TASKFORCE PLANS FOR ANNIVERSARY
Three levels of government will work together to plan celebrations for the 250th anniversary of Cook’s landing.
A Sutherland Shire Council spokeswoman said mayor Steve Simpson and A ward councillors were on the 2020 Taskforce, formed by Scott Morrison.
The council was carrying out major works in the Kurnell area with 2020 in mind, the spokeswoman said.
This includes the Bonna Point and Silver beach upgrades and a new entry sign adjacent to Towra Point observation area.
Cronulla MP Mark Speakman, who is also in the planning group, said NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service would assist the council with commemoration as it did every year.
Mr Speakman said the 250th anniversary was a great chance to rejuvenate Kurnell generally, especially in the context of the closure of the oil refinery and the likely development of the Besmaw land.
He would like to see ‘‘some useful infrastructure legacies’’.
Mr Speakman said he was pursuing the idea of a new ferry wharf, probably near Captain Cook’s Landing Place, to cater for tourists from La Perouse and possibly Brighton-Le-Sands.
■ How should the 250th anniversary be marked?
