To those who complain about overdevelopment, it would appear your definition of overdevelopment is anything anyone else wants to build after you've built your thing.
It is possible that some existing Shire residents may have viewed the thing you built as overdevelopment. There is a good chance that since Captain Cook arrived, everything could be considered overdevelopment.
Don't blame the builders/developers/ real estate agents for overdevelopment. They will only build and sell what the public will buy. If the people don't buy it, they won't make it.
Therefore, it would appear that any overdevelopment is caused by the demand from ordinary people like us to live in the Shire after we moved in.
Kevin Thurecht,
Illawong
Gunnamatta Bay Over Development
The Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC) has submitted an application to vary their existing Approval (MA21/0070) to extend their marina into Gunnamatta Bay.
The variation application replicates the failed development application 06/0421, where Council and the Land and Environment Court considered the issue of alienation of public land for private purposes and determined that the expansion did not achieve an appropriate balance between public and private interests.
Gunnamatta Bay is an actively used recreational navigational area. Organised activities on Gunnamatta Bay include:
Cronulla-Bundeena Ferry.
Charter boats: whale watching tours, sightseeing, fishing and dive charters.
The boat ramp at Tonkin Avenue is one of the busiest in Sutherland Shire
Bate Bay Surf Clubs' use Gunnamatta Bay as a training area.
Sailing activities in Gunnamatta Bay include junior sail training, dinghy racing, sailboard racing, keelboat racing and ocean yacht twilight racing.
Canoe, dragon boat and outrigger clubs operate in the bay.
More and more people are utilising the waterways for recreation. We need to preserve open waterways for active recreation for now and for future generations. The existing RMYC structure already exclusively occupies 1.2ha of the waterway and obstructs half the bay.
In what world is it right that the interests of many are overlooked for the private privilege of eight private boats?
Council declined the expansion in 2006, the Land and Environment Court declined the expansion in 2007.
Where does it end?
John Fryburg,
Caringbah
Boarding houses
The letter by Cath Thompson in the 5 May 2021 edition drawing attention to the profusion of boarding houses in the Kirrawee area is, but one example, of the State government's knee jerk reaction to housing and the Council's failure to have little or no regard for neighbouring residents and objectors' concerns for the profusion of boarding houses in the Shire, generally boarding houses.
Most recently, the Land and Environment Court approved a boarding house a short distance from Kirrawee station.
The Council, despite numerous objections, decided to recommend approval of amended plans submitted by the developer, again, after strident objections from neighbours and residents. This decision effectively resulted in the court upholding the appeal.
The issue of boarding houses is contentious on many grounds. However, it seems the State government (and the Council) seem to place little regard to residents and objectors, who, in the main, are ratepayers.
The history of the DA for 17 Best Crescent would make interesting reading for anyone affected by a proposed boarding house. Perhaps, the Leader should speak with those involved in the DA and appeal process. It would enlighten the community.
It's time the Council, in concert with the community, began to pay some heed to the changing character of the Shire that is burgeoning with all forms of development at the cost of the well being of residents/ratepayers. We have got to vote with our feet and make our voices heard.
Brian Phillips, Jannali
Dog poo in the Shire
I'm sick and tired of all the dog's faeces on the esplanade and nothing Is being done about it. Rangers are happy to keep booking cars in the council car park but do nothing about all the dogs defecating on our walking paths. Also, my dog and I were attacked last September in the mall by two dogs, and nothing has been done to prevent this from happening again. So many people are still walking their dogs with no leads, and restricted dogs are still allowed to be there without a muzzle. Things need to change so that everyone feels safe walking in the Shire.
Lynette Hills,
Cronulla
Mayoral visit
Members were thrilled to meet Mayor Steve Simpson on Saturday, 1 May, at the Botany Bay Family History Society, when he took time off from Relay for Life to attend our Open Day held in conjunction with the Sutherland Shire Heritage Festival. Mayor Simpson showed an avid interest in the wide variety of resources we have available in our Research Centre http://www.botanybayfhs.org.au/. For many members, it was their first opportunity to physically meet in person again following the outbreak of Covid in 2020 and the Mayor's sincerity added to the spirit of the day.
Jennie Fairs
Kirrawee
Last chance ScoMo
I wrote to Scott Morrison last year in February suggesting a quarantine system on the outskirts of the city on disused land if the pandemic became out of control. But his office never replied.
I agree with the AMA that hotels will never be a safe place from a mutating virus. The country needs purpose-built facilities - for now, and the future.
But, like choosing the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, he loves the cheaper option, which can put peoples lives at risk.
He and his government are so pig-headed they throw cold water onto any new ideas.
One more fail and he needs to go!
Jason Dullow
Jannali
YOUR SAY
Write to the editor at craig.thomson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
