The Cronulla Women’s Rest Centre has gone.
The building had been demolished by 7.30am this morning.
Resident Annette Hogan who campaigned to save the centre described the council’s action as a “big slap in the face for every resident in the shire”.
“I think a lot of shire residents would like to know how it can take up to a year to get a house approval and yet in two weeks the council has passed a motion for its demolition and had it demolished,” Ms Hogan said.
“There was a controlled environment to get this gone as quickly as possible with the least amount of freedom of speech.
“The council put out a flyer to the public saying that it was going to be demolished under exempt and complying development.
“I asked them for a copy of the consent and they then told me it was being demolished under State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007.”
The council confirmed that the women’s rest centre was demolished under SEPP (Infrastructure) 2007, as development without consent.
The types of infrastructure covered by the SEPP include air transport facilities, correctional centres, educational establishments, electricity generation, transmission and distribution works, emergency services facilities, flood mitigation works, health services facilities, group homes, ports, public administration buildings, rail infrastructure, research stations, sewerage systems and stormwater management systems.
Ms Hogan said that she was told the council classified the women’s rest centre as an administration building which she disputes.
“The council’s 2015 report described the building as having public toilets, disabled toilet, baby change and play area, rest area and staff room.
“How could that possible be classed as a public administration building?
“We have had preliminary legal advice that the women’s rest centre does not fall under the category of a public administration building
“Even though the flyer sent out to businesses stated being done under exempt and complying development, it appears council wanted to hide the fact that they were pursuing it as development without consent.
“We will push ahead with reporting these unprecedented actions to Government agencies to make sure this Council can never take such actions of blatant disregard for the residents again.”
A council spokesperson said, “We care about our community and our role is to respond with energy and make our community’s aspirations a reality by providing progressive and inclusive amenities.
“The Cronulla community have been asking Council to make improvements in Cronulla Mall area for a number of years, hence the significant effort that has been applied to development of the Cronulla Masterplan.
“We wish to correct the statement that demolition occurred overnight. The final stage of demolition work commenced at 5.50am on Friday 4 August. In order to ensure a safe and healthy community, there were security contractors stationed at the site on Thursday overnight.
“The replacement of the Women’s Rest Centre with a playground arises from changing community needs consistent with Council’s resolution. The land remains categorised as community land under the Local Government Act. It’s intended use as a playground is consistent with this.”
