Moves to privatise Cronulla Women’s Rest Centre have been knocked on the head after Sutherland Shire Council decided to keep it operating as usual.
A council report recommended the council ask for expressions of interest from suitable parties to operate the centre — along with a cafe or concession store — and a plan be prepared to look at potential commercial uses.
But mayor Kent Johns said the rest centre would continue to operate ‘‘business as usual’’ after a unanimous decision by councillors at the budget and strategic issues committee last Monday to maintain the service. The rest centre at the northern end of Cronulla Plaza has public toilets for women, a baby change and play area, a seating area and a coffee machine.
The PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia strategic review of the council’s operations said the council should exit the service ‘‘because of the narrow service it provides to the community versus the cost of providing the service’’.
The rest centre costs $95,000 a year to run and ‘‘commercial opportunities on the site’’ could return up to $80,000 a year, the council report said.
‘‘It’s for everybody, from mums with babies to elderly people. We all all love it. We’re safe here.’’
- Dorothy Hippit
Cronulla resident Annette Hogan said the $95,000 annual cost equated to the rate revenue of 25 shire residences.
She said the rest centre received an estimated 100,000 visits a year from shire residents and tourists of all ages.
Councillor Kevin Schreiber, who called for the centre to be retained, was happy with the support of councillors.
‘‘The rest centre supports women and their children and the service it provides is important for our community,’’ Cr Kevin Schreiber said.
Shire Watch Independents councillor Peter Towell described the decision as a complete backflip.
‘‘It can’t all be about the bottom-line. We have to have services for the community,’’ he said.
Michelle Parker visits the centre five times a week with daughter Willow, 2, and new-born Ivy. She said it was ‘‘comfortable and clean and I always feel safe’’.
Christine Connolly, 51, is in constant pain from surgery and drops in several times a week to take medication when in Cronulla.
‘‘I need to stop and take my medication in order to get home,’’ she said.
‘‘Otherwise, I would have to sit in the mall and take it,’’ she said.
She criticised the PwC description of the centre as an ‘‘under-utilised, narrow service’’.
‘‘When have PwC set foot in here? Who have they spoken to to come up with that assessment?’’ she said.
‘‘I want it in writing that the women’s rest centre will remain as community land in perpetuity, so that this council or any council in the future can’t change it.’’
Dorothy Hippit, 80, has used the centre since 1966 and says it appeals to all ages.
‘‘It’s for everybody, from mums with babies to elderly people. We all all love it. We’re safe here.’’
Do you agree with the council’s decision to keep the rest centre operating?
