Sutherland Shire’s two newest regional parks have proved a stunning success, but visitor numbers are expected to hit even greater heights as the springs days and weather unfold.
The parks at Karimbla Road Miranda and Shelly Park Cronulla include the latest playground technology and meet contemporary national safety standards. Sutherland Shire Centenary Park, named last year as part of the Shire’s centenary celebrations, was built on the former Energy Australia site at Miranda.
Since opening last year, the 1.35 hectare park has won a sustainable water challenge award from the Water Sensitive Urban Design Organisation. The park’s design allows capture and re-use of water to cut reliance on potable water for toilet flushing and irrigation.
As well as large grassed areas for families, it features a maze, sculptures, picnic and barbecues, toddler and junior and senior playgrounds including a popular flying fox. One of the high tech elements that make the park even more special are sensors that are located in the maze. The sensors detect when children run past and play bird noises to add to the overall atmosphere and excitement.
Sutherland Shire Council designed some elements of the park to enable patients in rehabilitation at Sutherland Hospital could enjoy it.
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Gannons Road rail bridge reaching federal election issues
The State Government’s refusal to widen the Gannons Road rail bridge as part of the Cronulla line duplication has been raised as a federal election issue. Liberal candidate for Cook, Scott Morrison, has joined State MP, Malcom Kerr, and NSW Shadow Minister for Transport, Gladys Berejiklian, in calling for the State Government to reverse the decision.
Mr Morrison said that Gannons Road becomes a parking lot on almost a daily basis; and with summer approaching, the weekend traffic volume will increase, resulting in even more lengthy delays. Another impact on traffic in the area is the $9 million re-development of Toyota Park, which will bring bigger crowds and more vehicles to the area.
Ms Berejiklian said Gannons Road had a daily traffic volume of over 15,000 cars, with the worst delays occurring when homebound traffic is channelled into one lane under the rail bridge. There are currently, two northbound lanes but only one southbound lane.
Sutherland Shire Council appealed to the Government earlier this year to take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and widen the bridge and underpass to at least four lanes as part of the rail duplication project.
The Traffic Consultative Committee recommended that the council should refuse to close Gannons Road for the duplication work. Since then, Transport Minister John Watkins has written to the council saying widening the bridge would delay the duplication project.
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Illegal Construction Dumping Audited
Sutherland Shire Council and the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) are working together to crack down on the illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste.
Between 28 August and 14 September, DECC officers carried out joint waste audits of local construction sites across the Shire.
During the waste audit, officers investigated whether waste from local building sites is being taken to legal and legitimate sites for reuse, recycling or disposal and not being dumped in the bush or at illegal tips.
Mayor of Sutherland Shire, Clr David Redmond said the process is about ensuring that builders and construction companies are educated about the correct way construction waste should be disposed of.
“It’s not good enough to just assume that the person or company taking your waste away will take it to the right place. Whether it is a large construction company or a builder working on a residential property, construction and demolition waste should be disposed of through the correct channels,” said Clr Redmond.
Construction companies and building site managers can also be liable for hefty fines and clean up costs if their waste is dumped illegally. With the audits now completed, data will be collated with further action taken at sites where illegal activity is suspected. Council also encourages residents who suspect illegal handling or dumping to phone DECC’s Environment line on 131 555.
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