Plans to turn Penshurst Park into a “sports hub” have concerned residents who fear they will lose valuable community land and green space.
The Penshurst Park Sporting Hub includes extension of the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, a new indoor cricket centre, synthetic football field, grandstand, amenity buildings and passive recreation area.
The new synthetic football field was to be fenced in but after consultation with the residents Georges River Council removed the proposal for fencing.
The council also extended the public exhibition period after residents living near the park complained about the lack of time to comment.
But resident Kathryn Skelsey said that even with the extended consultation period many people who use the park still do not know about the plans.
She has started an online petition calling on Georges River Council to keep Penshurst Park a freely accessible, relaxing, natural space for the local community.
“There are people from Hurstville who come down to use the netball courts or to let their children ride their bikes. They don’t have anywhere else to go, yet they didn’t know about the plans for the park.
“There needs to be sport but there has to be a sport and community balance.
“We don’t want buildings creeping into green space that has been available for residents and which will be needed even more with increasing new development.
“Under the plans the playground will be compressed to allow for the indoor cricket centre and outdoor cricket nets which will be run by a sporting organisation from outside the area.’’
Julian Hare lives 150-metres from the park in Arcadia Street and said he did not receive any information regarding the extension of the DA submission timing.
“Penshurst Park is the only open green space within a 600-metre radius of over 700 apartments,’’ he said.
“One apartment development just completed that is within a five-minutes walk of the park, contains 448 apartments.
“The park provides these apartment dwellers with a backyard-like space where they can kick a ball, throw a Frisbee, use a scooter, run,do Tai Chi, play, or simply lay on the grass.
“Why take so much of this park for sporting clubs that aren’t from the area when there are larger parks such as Gannons Park, Olds Park, Renown Park and Peakhurst Park that could be used?.”
The public can register to voice their concerns when the plan goes to the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel for consideration in September.
- The residents’ petition and Facebook site is at: https://penshurstpark.wordpress.com/
