http://www.theleader.com.au/story/4248794/final-plans-for-woolooware-bay-town-centre/?cs=1255
How the eastern side of 'Shark Park' will look under final plans for Woolooware Bay Town Centre
Murray Trembath
22 Feb 2017, 2:38 p.m.
Computer generated image of stage four of the Woolooware Bay Town Centre. Picture: supplied
This is how the leagues club side of the Cronulla Sharks development will look under final plans that have been submitted for approval.
Stage four of Woolooware Bay Town Centre includes a new retail centre, hotel / serviced apartments, an upgraded leagues club with a large, north-facing terrace and three apartment blocks from 11 to 16 storeys.
Computer generated image of the hotel (left) and apartments facing Captain Cook Drive. Picture: supplied
The plans also include a Sharks Centre of Excellence adjoining the western grandstand of the football stadium.
Capital Bluestone, the Sharks’ development partner, said other features of the “enhanced” centre included the shire’s first bike share scheme, free room hire for community groups and an environmental education program.
Full details will be made available when the plans are placed on public exhibition next week.
Indicative photomontage looking north along Woolooware Road. Picture: supplied
The plans need to be approved by the Planning Assessment Commission.
Capital Bluestone said in a statement, since announcing in late 2014 proposed changes to the approved concept plan, the company had been “gathering input from the community, council and the state government on the best way to refine the original vision for a true town centre”.
“The recently submitted proposal includes a mix of elements including apartments above the already-approved shopping centre, a hotel and regional sports accommodation and a Sharks Sports Centre of Excellence,” the statement said.
“Capital Bluestone and Sharks will host a two-hour, drop-in information session for local residents to familiarise themselves with the plans and ask questions.”
The session will be held in the auditorium at the leagues club between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Monday, March 6.
Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by emailing:
events@straighttalk.com.au or calling 9797 8004 by Friday, March 3.
Capital Bluestone Managing Director Ben Fairfax said it had always been the intention to build a true town centre.
This would create more jobs, more places for friends and family to connect, opportunities for traineeships and mentoring programs, investment opportunities and more support for community groups.
“These plans have been several years in the making, and reflect the significant input from many individuals and groups,” he said.
Community initiatives include:
- A 220-square-metre community room to be offered free of charge to a range of community groups. It will be “technology enabled” and fitted out with a kitchenette, bathroom, moveable walls to create flexible spaces, and secure storage to allow multiple groups to share.
- A bike share scheme, “with banks of bikes and helmets across a range of destinations in the shire”.
- A proposed partnership with a not-for-profit environmental group “to transform the foreshore and mangroves into a living, outdoor classroom with learning nodes and educational signage”. This would include community learning days over a three-year period to help connect school children to the environment and encourage volunteer involvement in regeneration programs.
Cronulla Sharks Group chief executive Lyall Gorman said the club had a long tradition of supporting the local area.
“It’s important to us that we extend this spirit and our vital role in our community into the development plans for Woolooware Bay so that this precinct reflects our culture and values and continues our commitment to making a real difference and contribution across our wonderful region,” he said.
