NEWS
Bayside EASTERN SUBURBS
• BELLEVUE HILL • EDGECLIFF • DARLINGHURST • DARLING POINT • DOUBLE BAY • ELIZABETH BAY • PADDINGTON •
• POINT PIPER • POTTS POINT • ROSE BAY • RUSHCUTTERS BAY • SURRY HILLS • VAUCLUSE • WATSONS BAY • WOOLLAHRA •
South Head Draft Master Plan light on detail Locals as well as Sydneysiders further afield remain concerned about the impact of an NPWS Draft Master Plan for South Head – and the latest attempt at possible commercialisation of the precinct. Eastern Suburbs Life sought NPWS comment, who responded: “Community feedback received during the public consultation phase of the draft South Head Master Plan is being reviewed and a summary will be provided when the South Head Master Plan is finalised, expected to be later in 2022,” an NPWS spokesperson said. On a number of issues, many believe the Draft Master Plan [DMP] was light on detail, including how the existing park buildings – for which 40-year leases are proposed – will be “repurposed”. As the submission by the Watsons Bay Association Inc highlighted: “The plan notes that ‘the adaptive reuse of the buildings on South Head will be a positive and logical transition that does not over-commercialise or lead to significant intervention that is irreversible,’ then
qualifies this statement by saying ‘without a bold approach there may not be a viable use for some elements.’ “We question what this ‘bold approach’ may involve, given community sensitivity concerning commercial uses for the buildings,” WBA president Roger Bayliss said. “This ambiguity needs clarification.” Similar concerns were raised by Merrill Witt, Residents First councillor for the Vaucluse Ward of Woollahra Council, in her submission – that more details were needed “about how the parklands’ buildings will be readapted so that the local community doesn’t have to fear a repeat of the 2015 proposal” to repurpose the site as a wedding and convention venue. She noted that the previous plans “were fiercely opposed by thousands of people”. Furthermore, some pathways in the DMP appear to be designed for light vehicles – to possibly service the ‘adaptive reuse’ of the park buildings – which wasn’t clear when the DMP was advertised for comment.
Other submissions underlined further significant issues within the DMP that were felt not been to fully addressed by the NPWS
Photo: Stuart Spence
– including parking pressures and traffic, managing tourist numbers, and upgrading public transport to alleviate congestion in and out of the Watsons Bay peninsula. Of further note is that the South Head trail – which runs between the two iconic landmarks of Macquarie Lighthouse and Hornby Lighthouse, at the Entrance to Sydney Heads – has been recognised as an important link in the Bondi to Manly Walk. Last month, Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters sent a letter to The Hon Gabrielle Upton MP, Member for Vaucluse, supporting her efforts to secure State Heritage Listing for South Head, stating: “There is simply no doubt South Head is one of the highlights of the Walk – with
its extraordinary and unique natural, cultural and built heritage values experienced by many, many thousands of walkers,” B2M president John Faulkner emphasised. “Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters strongly believes these values must be protected in perpetuity.” Along similar lines, Sydney Harbour Association Secretary Hylda Rolfe noted in her submission: “No explicit commitment to retention of the integrity of the South Head National Park real estate as a whole for its legislated purposes is proposed in the Draft Plan.” Paula Towers More info: Instagram: southheadwhaletrail
It’s now easier to buy your first home. Our low deposit home loan option combined with current NSW stamp duty concessions may help you step into the property market. • No stamp duty for eligible first home buyers purchasing a new property under $800,000* • Potentially borrow up to 98% of the property purchase** • No obligation planning session with our local lending specialist (includes pre-approval assessment) • Help with applying for the First Home Buyer or HomeBuilder grants Our 5 Star First Home Buyer loan also offers a competitive ongoing variable rate, no application fee, and no ongoing fees. Home loans made simple. For help with buying your first home, speak with us today.
Eric Greening 0407 346 269 egreening@ljhookerhomeloans.com.au ljhookerhomeloans.com.au/sydneyeasternsuburbs
Eastern Suburbs
* LJ Hooker Home Loans offers no indication of your eligibility for NSW Office of State Revenue stamp duty concessions. Please refer to the NSW Office of State Revenue for full information on the current stamp duty concessions and eligibility criteria. ** Applies to the LJ Hooker Home Loans 5 Star owner occupied variable rate home loan with principal and interest repayments. Loan to value ratio includes any capitalised LMI premium. Please speak with your LJ Hooker Home Loans Lending Specialist for current interest rate information. Loan and purchase price limits apply. Credit criteria applies to any loan application and subject to any potential loan offer being suitable for your personal circumstances. Fees and charges, terms and conditions apply. LJ Hooker Home Loans Pty Ltd. ACN 106 564 765. Australian Credit Licence 380270. TD2459
