HUNGRY Point Reserve, at the head of Gunnamatta Bay, is expected to be open to the public in about 12 months.
A new walking path, providing spectacular views over Port Hacking, will be constructed through the top half of the waterfront site previously occupied by the Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre.
Connecting the Esplanade and Darook Park, the path will provide the ‘‘missing link’’ in a circuit of the peninsula.
The move was announced yesterday when state Minister for Natural Resources, Land and Water, Kevin Humphries, announced a grant of $29,000 for bush regeneration on the site to prepare it for public use.
‘‘The community is very keen to see this site returned for public use,’’ Mr Humphries said.
‘‘Coming from a very dry, arid part of the state [he is the MP for Barwon in the Moree area], I find this an absolutely spectacular site ... an enormous jewel in the crown of the shire.’’
Mr Humphries, who was previously Minister for Healthy Lifestyles, said during a previous visit that on a fine day, he was amazed at the number of people walking in the area.
‘‘It is a growing trend and with a sight like this, I think this will be a place many people will come to visit.’’
He defended the government’s decision to close the world-renowned fisheries centre. ‘‘It was part of a decentralisation program and other communities have benefited,’’ he said.
‘‘But, in the end, you have an enormous asset here, and it should remain in public hands.’’
Sutherland Shire mayor Steve Simpson said the reserve’s management trust, in conjunction with the council, was working towards opening the top half of the site to the public in about 12 months.
A new walking path would see people streaming through the reserve, and it also would be ‘‘a great place to have a picnic and for weddings,’’ he said.
Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said a long-term plan was to construct a boardwalk around the site at the water’s edge.
Mr Speakman believed there would be a need for ‘‘some sort of low-level commercial presence, so the site is sustainable’’.
‘‘A cafe, for example, a smaller version of what is at Audley in the Royal National Park [could be appropriate],’’ he said.
He said that a heritage study, being undertaken, would help determine what buildings and other structures, including the aquarium, should be preserved.
A government-appointed consultant recommended the heritage listed pool be demolished because it was a health and safety risk.
The government will provide $220,000 this year for pest and weed control programs on Crown reserves in the shire.
Other allocations include $16,000 for work at Lucas Heights in the Mill Creek and Barden Creek catchment, and $18,000 for Woronora River and valley.
MASTER PLAN
A draft master plan for Hungry Point Reserve is expected to go on public exhibition by the end of this year. Chairman of the management trust, councillor Kevin Schreiber, said a heritage study needed to be completed before the plan could be finalised.
‘‘We hope to have it out for public comment before Christmas, and we are intending to have an information session on the site to get more ideas from the community,’’ he said.
How would you like to see Hungry Point Reserve used?
HELP NEEDED
Volunteers have the chance to help regenerate bushland at Hungry Point at the former Cronulla Fisheries site.
The Hungry Point Bushcare group is one of two new groups calling for volunteers to help regenerate council-owned land.
The council is also calling for expressions to establish a new group to care for an area at Windy Point, Cronulla.
The Hungry Point Bushcare group meets on the first Monday of each month at 12.30pm.
Volunteers work under the direction of the council’s Bushland unit in accordance with recognised bush regeneration techniques. A day and time is yet to be set for the proposed Windy Point Bushcare Group which will be on the Esplanade, Cronulla, between Shelly Beach and Windy Point.
Mayor Steve Simpson said the work of bushcare volunteers helped protect local flora, fauna and remnant vegetation and preserved the shire’s natural areas for future generations. ‘‘Its a flexible commitment, so any time you contribute is beneficial and appreciated,” Cr Simpson said.
Details: sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au
