Cronulla Marine Rescue redevelopment sparks outrage in community

By ELLIOT HEATH

Community consultation on the proposed development at Hungry Point Cronulla has been extended to the 12th of October, after a string of community led backlash. Locals have described the new training academy as “essentially a hotel”, with concerns the new building will generate traffic, noise and possibly lead to the exclusion of the public from the site. 

With the area holding some of Cronulla’s finest scenery, local resident Jo Osullivan shared concerns that the area would become a “private development” with the public no longer allowed to enter. 

“I have been going to the quiet beach space for over 30 years, my kids grew up on that space, I would hate to see it become a private development that the public cannot access” Osullivan told City Hub.  

The proposed $12 million dollar developments would see the demolition of heritage listed Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre to facilitate a new four-story training academy building for Marine Rescue, which will include accommodation, conference and dining facilities.  

Sutherland Shire Historical Society president Pauline Curby shared her concerns, telling City Hub that she feels the promised Esplanade Walk upgrades that were supposed to “become one of Cronulla’s prime tourist attraction” may never eventuate. 

The developments will also include the construction of a new simulation pool building, with Marine Rescue aiming to get thousands of volunteers more time in the water in a bid to prevent as many deaths as possible in NSW waters. 

Outrage over redevelopment sparks protests

Recent protests at Hungry Point saw an estimated 350 people gather in an attempt to be heard by the NSW government.  

Organisers of the protest released a statement saying, “Residents and others attending the meeting were unanimous they did not want to see what is essentially a hotel erected on what is a significant element in the history of NSW because of its Aboriginal heritage, history of fisheries research, and migrant accommodation history”. 

Cronulla MP and NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman told the Sydney Morning Herald he supports the training academy “in principle”.

“This public purpose use would allow greatly improved training of Marine Rescue volunteers, improving recruitment and water safety and ultimately saving lives,” Speakman said. 

However, Speakman also made it clear that any construction that did occur in the area would need to go through the correct process, admitting that “Hungry Point is a special site”. 

“Any future use has to be sympathetic to its rich heritage and beauty and … ensure public access to the open parkland and a walkway around the entire clifftop and waterway, not just part of it.”

Whilst the proposed developments haven’t been given the green light yet, a decision looms large with many stakeholders invested in Hungry Point’s future.