Save Coogee Community Parks

Our parks and recreational areas include some of the most valuable assets we have.

In the late-90s, pursuant to with the Local Government Act, and with much public input, Randwick Council prepared Plans of Management for its open spaces.

The Plans of Management govern;

· Regional and District Parks: such as Coogee Oval and Latham Park, specifying they are formal sporting grounds/sporting fields/playing fields, whose primary purpose is to fulfil the sporting needs of residents and visitors. The community consultation process showed stakeholders approved floodlights, leases/licenses and amenities blocks and

· For Neighbourhood Parks and other Reserves, and the remaining smaller areas of public land these plans indicate they are unstructured areas of recreational open space whose primary purpose is to support social interaction of recreational activities of local residents. The consultation process showed stakeholders disapproved floodlights, leased sports fields, playing fields, and buildings on neighbourhood parks.

Since 2003 the Coogee Dolphins have been trying to obtain council permission to use Bardon Park, a Neighbourhood Park, for formally organised sports activities. Their applications from the outset have involved flood lighting, returfing, goal posts, line marking, and an amenities block.

In 2007 council approval for multiple floodlights was granted. (At the time, Councillors were erroneously advised Bardon Park was Council-owned property, Bardon Park is Crown Land.) Council resolved that further development of Bardon Park would be subject to a new Plan of Management. This has not occurred.

In December 2010 a Council motion “from the floor” resulted in approval for Bardon Park to be dug up and re-turfed, installation of an irrigation system, and installation of goal posts and line markings. Council papers indicate the cost to ratepayers thus far of $230,000.

In approving the renovation of Bardon Park, Council stipulated these public works were to accommodate the Dolphins "temporarily", as Council was resolute in finding them a permanent ground before September. .

But where will they go? Coogee Oval? Why Not!

Coogee Oval is a Regional sportsground in Coogee offering superior training facilities.

Latham Park? Why Not! Latham Park is a District Park in Coogee offering proper sporting facilities for organised sports.

Bardon Park is a Neighbourhood Park not designed or intended to be used for organised sporting activities. Other options suggested by Council are Grant Reserve and Trenerry Reserve but these, too, are covered by a Plan of Management that does not support formal team sports. Like Bardon Park they are intended for casual, informal recreation and not organised sporting activities. All of these parks are reserved Crown land and have been dedicated for public recreation. The plans of management for each park reflect this public recreation dedication.

Contrary to Council's own policy, Coogee public open spaces are under threat of being consumed so that the Dolphins can have a “home” where they want it.

LEAVE OUR COMMUNITY PARKS ALONE

Say YES to Regional/District parks for organised sport.

Keep the purpose of community space as intended in Council’s existing Plans of Management-For the Community.

Keep Crown land dedicated to public recreation FOR public recreation.