Bayside Council has endorsed the Barton Park Masterplan recognising the importance of the park in Banksia and its surrounds as a community recreational hub.
"This plan has been developed after extensive community consultation and will guide future improvements to the area to meet the needs of recreational and sporting users," Bayside Council mayor Joe Awada said.
"During the community engagement process various sporting organisations expressed an interest in the future development of the site. A report on all these submissions will be prepared for Council's consideration at a future date."
"Barton Park is highly valued, not only as a sporting area, but also for its foreshore location as well as its wetland and environmental qualities, Cr Awada said.
There were fears for the future of the plan when plans for the adjoining 5000-dwelling Cooks Cove development included the relocation of Kogarah Golf Club to Barton Park.
But in 2018 the local planning panel recommended that Bayside Council should not refer the Cooks Cove planning proposal for a fast-tracked Gateway review.
An amended Planning Proposal has recently been lodged by the proponent associated with Cooks Cove seeking changes to the planning controls for the Kogarah Golf Club lot only.
The new Planning Proposal means that Kogarah Golf Club will not be relocating to Barton Park.
The masterplan will guide the future upgrades of recreational facilities, both active and passive, to meet the demand for a growing community around Arncliffe, Banksia and Wolli Creek as well as protecting the wetland areas along Cooks River and Muddy Creek.
It includes improvements such as road access, upgraded playing fields, parking, new amenities building, lighting and seating.
The Barton Park masterplan includes a regional north-south shared path connection along the foreshore of Muddy Creek, Landing Lights Wetlands, St George Football Stadium, numerous playing fields, multi-use courts, a new amenities building and opportunities for passive recreation.
The masterplan will guide the future upgrades of recreational facilities, both active and passive, to meet the demand for a growing community around Arncliffe, Banksia and Wolli Creek as well as protecting the wetland areas along Cooks River and Muddy Creek.
It includes improvements such as road access, upgraded playing fields, parking, new amenities building, lighting and seating.
The masterplan divides the park upgrade into four key planning areas:
Zone 1 The Active Centre - Active and passive park; large grassed area at the top of the embankment. Designed as the active heart of the new park.
Zone 2 The Waterfront - Foreshore and environment; environmentally significant mangrove trees along Muddy Creek, including opportunities to walk and cycle along the foreshore.
Zone 3 The Open Space - Open space adjacent residential; low lying grassed area between the neighbouring suburb.
Zone 4 The Wetlands - Significant environmentally sensitive Landing lights wetlands; Saltmarsh habitat for migratory birds and some threatened species.
Bay Council received 137 responses via Have Your Say, 118 supported the Masterplan and 19 respondents said they support the Masterplan with changes.
Formal submissions were received from advocacy groups and organisations including:
. Save Barton Park
. Rockdale Wetlands Preservation Society
. BikeEast
. Sydney Airport
. Cooks River Alliance
. NSW Fisheries
Various sporting groups also expressed an interest in the further development of the site including:
. St George Football Association
. St George Football Club
. Football Federation Australia (FFA)
. NSW Biathlon Association
A report on all submissions received during the public exhibition period will now be prepared for
Council to consider at a future stage.
The Masterplan can be found on Council's website www.bayside.nsw.gov.au
