SUTHERLAND Shire Council is "taking its time" to ensure it gets the Gunnamatta Pavilion upgrade right, says mayor Kent Johns, and will invite community comment once it is happy with the plans.
Councillor Johns was responding to the Leader's questions following concerns from a resident and a group set up to fight a "Le Sands-style development" on the shores of Gunnamatta Bay.
Residents are worried at the possible scope of the redevelopment and the timing of a planned upgrade of Gunnamatta Park (see breakout).
Cronulla resident and lawyer Richard Black said the proposed restaurant should be confined to the existing area.
"These are important community facilities and should not be lost in perpetuity to an enlarged Le Sands-type restaurant," he said.
Mr Black also questioned the timing and $316,975 cost of work to the park and feared community facilities would be lost.
But Cr Johns said once there was a proposal the council was happy with it would be advertised and community comment would be encouraged.
"Council is being vigilant in ensuring we retain community use of the building while getting the right mix of a kiosk/cafe for the many families and visitors that enjoy the park, plus a restaurant which offers a superior location for diners," he said.
"We don't want to be left with the situation we have now where there is no kiosk/cafe."
A council spokeswoman said discussions were previously held with long-term community users of the pavilion to determine its use.
She said expressions of interest (EOI) were sought last year to determine if there were business operators interested in refurbishing the pavilion under lease.
"The terms of the EOI allow for 12 months of discussions with an interested party to ensure that council meets all its objectives for the site, including preserving the heritage features and revitalising the pavilion, while retaining key elements for community use," she said.
But Mr Black said the community should be consulted before plans went any further.
The best option was for shared use where community facilities could be leased to the operator.
RESIDENTS’ FEARS
A residents’ group wrote to the Leader to say while it supported the improvement of Gunnamatta Park, including the picnic shelter, they
were concerned about the lack
of consultation.
They said the placement of one sign in the park last Christmas was ‘‘inadequate’’.
‘‘The council lodged this DA with itself ... on New Year’s Eve ... The notification period ... is inadequate given the Christmas vacation and the anonymous scope of works ...,’’ they wrote in an email to the Leader.
‘‘We are aware the council has received tenders. We do not oppose a restaurant/kiosk but it should be confined to the existing DA area. The community rooms are important facilities and should not be lost.’’
PARK UPGRADE
A Sutherland Shire Council spokeswoman said it advertised a development application in December 2014 for the upgrade.
She said it was part of the master plan developed in 2010 with community consultation, and did not include Gunnamatta Pavilion.
The spokeswoman said proposed improvements in Gunnamatta Park included:
- demolition of the existing bitumen path and footbridge
- a new concrete footpath
- a new bridge over the open drain
- landscape works associated with disturbed areas
- new disabled car parking
- new concrete slab within the large picnic shelter.
She said there was ‘‘no proposal to provide public car access into Gunnamatta Park’’ for future restaurant patrons and the council was instead ‘‘stepping up controls over vehicles entering the park’’.
Should the council allow a larger restaurant at the pavilion?