Ten of the 22 buildings on the former Cronulla fisheries research centre site have been recommended for demolition, with a question mark over a further two.
The heritage listed aquarium is among ten recommended for preservation, but a decision has been deferred because it is seen as high maintenance and may not have practical use.
A draft masterplan for Hungry Point Reserve, released this week, said only buildings with high and moderate heritage significance or with the capacity to provide an appropriate operational or public amenity should be retained.
Buildings that remained could be converted for uses such as a kiosk, cafe or small to medium scale event centre for weddings or other celebrations.
Other possible uses included historical collection and interpretation (marine and maritime), education, maritime research and maritime rescue and emergency operations.
The draft masterplan said the State Emergency Service was looking at moving on to the site.
Uses deemed inappropriate included hotel / motel, boat storage and launching for the community, general office use not connected with the site’s location and nature, and a major event venue.
A conservation management plan recommended the aquarium should be among buildings to be preserved, but the draft masterplan said the matter needed further consideration.
“Marine Rescue NSW [which is now using the site] note that the pool is a high maintenance structure and a high cost facility to run (pump, temperature regulator etc),” the document said.
“Damage occurred during storm event of 16 December 2015.
“The conservation management plan identifies that the structure should ideally be retained as a pool, but also suggests that an alternative approach could be to infill and interpret the structure at ground level.
“There was a high desire from all workshop sessions to remove this structure (process of removal from heritage list required) if an appropriate continuing activity cannot be found.
“Its position and appearance contrast with the landscape surround and are not considered complementary to the surrounds.
“Removal of the structure will expose the existing cut rock wall and the natural vegetation behind.”
The state government closed the world-renowned research institute in 2011, and appointed a management trust a year later.
The draft masterplan, prepared by the trust in conjunction with Sutherland Shire Council, was supposed to be released by the end of last year, and the delay has been criticised by some residents.
The community has been given only six weeks to comment on the highly detailed document, which is on the council website and in libraries.
The draft masterplan proposes opening up one area at the top of the site, bordered by temporary fencing, for public access by December this year, subject to funding.
Another area, also at the top of the site, could be opened in January this year, subject to development application approval, the document said.
The draft masterplan envisages work on a public pathway starting in 2017, subject to successful grant application, with the next stages of work to occur in 2008-19.
No timetable or estimated cost was given for the full conversion of the site.
The document said the state government had provided grants for planning in 2014 and 2015, but an application for funding this year was unsuccessful.
Had it been given, the grant would have funded asset planning and commercial feasibility studies, as well as the detailed design and construction of an access path and associated landscape works.
“Therefore, the trust with council’s assistance has reviewed the works proposal to suit the available funding,” the document said.
The vision for Hungry Point Reserve is “a place that celebrates the European, Aboriginal and natural values of the site and enriches the lives of Cronulla, shire and Sydney residents, visitors and workers”.
It would retain its “tranquil and secluded character”, while providing leisure and recreation opportunities and connecting Darook Park via a high level, and also possibly a low level, walkway to the Esplanade at Bass and Flinders Point.