Archives: Media Releases

CRONULLA PARK GETS FUNDING BOOST

I am delighted to announce that Cronulla Park will benefit from a $100,000 grant thanks to the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.


The funding will be used for the construction of a viewing platform at Cronulla Park. The works will be carried out in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Cronulla Surf Club.


Our beaches are such an invaluable asset to the community so it is great news that this project will be funded along with the Surf Club redevelopment.


The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund supports programs that allow communities and visitors alike to continue to enjoy local land and facilities.


The NSW Government has invested $115 million over seven years into Crown land projects, including a record investment this year of more than $20 million across the state.

 

 

 

 

 

CLEARWAYS PROGRESSING FOR TAREN POINT ROAD

New weekend and extended weekday clearways along Taren Point Road are one step closer with work starting yesterday on providing new business customer parking.

The NSW Government is funding the clearway project as part of its program to reduce congestion and delays on Sydney’s roads.

The NSW Government is providing funding to Sutherland Shire Council to reconfigure existing parking on Box Road to provide an additional 17 spaces, six of which will be 2P spaces.

Nine unrestricted parking spaces on Kumulla Road will also be converted into 2P parking spaces which will operate from 8:30am to 6pm, seven days a week.

The alternative business parking will be available when the new and extended clearways are introduced later this year.

Work to reconfigure parking is expected to be completed next month, weather permitting.

For more information about the Sydney Clearways Strategy visit rms.nsw.gov.au/clearways.

NEW RETURN AND EARN POINT IN CARINGBAH

New reverse vending machines (RVMs) for the NSW container deposit scheme Return and Earn have been installed at the Caringbah Bowling and Recreation Club, 105 Willarong Rd, Caringbah.

 

Return and Earn is the largest litter reduction initiative to be introduced in NSW. 3.6 million containers have already been collected at the two other reverse vending machine kiosks in the Cronulla area and more than 580 million across NSW.

 

RVMs provide community users a refund in three ways. They can:

  • Receive the refund into a registered PayPal account by scanning the myTOMRA app code on your smartphone at the machine
  • Collect a printed voucher that can be redeemed for either cash or an in-store purchase at the retail partner (in this case it is Coles)
  • Donate to one of the donation partners listed on the machine

 

Local community groups, schools, sports groups and charities can also apply to become a local donation partner on the machine so people returning containers to the site can choose to donate them their refund.

 

Drink containers eligible for the 10 cent refund include most containers between 150ml and three litres. Containers must be intact (not crushed or broken) and have a readable barcode to be eligible for the refund.

 

Residents can still use their kerbside recycling bins for ineligible drink containers. They can also still place their eligible containers into the kerbside recycling bins or even donate them to local charities or community groups that are collecting them for fundraising purposes.

 

For more information, including a return point map, eligible drink containers, and how to apply to become a donation partner, visit: www.returnandearn.org.au.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SYDNEY MARINE PARK INCLUDES SHIRE SITES

The NSW government’s proposed Sydney Marine Park includes 25 sites between Newcastle and Wollongong is a significant advance for marine conservation across the Hawkesbury bioregion, including in particular the Sutherland Shire. As a coastal MP and former Environment Minister, I know how important it is to protect and nurture our marine environment and to implement measures that aim to protect and increase our marine biodiversity.


The Towra Point Aquatic Reserve will grow by 349ha, to incorporate additional adjacent Posidonia australis seagrass and shorebird habitat as a special purpose zone. The reserve protects the largest and most diverse wetland complex in the Sydney region. It’s adjacent to the Towra Point Nature Reserve, a wetland of international importance and declared Ramsar site. It’s also an important nursery area for fish and invertebrates, a habitat for migratory seabirds, and rich in marine biodiversity.


Cabbage Tree Creek, a small tidal creek on the southern side of Port Hacking, will be a new 23ha sanctuary zone. The area contains extensive estuarine habitats, including saltmarsh, seagrass and mangroves. It’s a significant area for the local Aboriginal community, as is Towra Point.


An 85ha conservation zone in Royal National Park will go from Martin Head south to the northern end of Garie Beach, including Wattamolla Beach and Wattamolla Lagoon, and 100m seaward.


Some old favourites will be included with no changes to management rules, such as Boat Harbour and Shiprock.


All proposed sites have been carefully analysed by the NSW Marine Estate Management Authority following extensive community consultation. You can provide feedback at: https://www.marine.nsw.gov.au/key-initiatives/hawkesbury-shelf-marine-assessment. Submissions close 27 September.


An information stall will be visiting Cronulla Mall on 15 September from 8 am to 12 noon.

 

 

 

 

 

NSW GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

George Capsis has received a NSW Government Community Service award for his support of some of the most vulnerable and marginalised in our community.


The NSW Government Community Service Award recognises individuals in NSW who have substantially helped to improve the quality of life of members of their community. This is beyond what would reasonably be expected in their usual occupation.


George founded Community Outreach Ministries in 1987 and has provided support to people disadvantaged by mental illness, homelessness, drug or alcohol abuse, suicide and family crisis.


In 2006 George received the Order of Australia Medal for his service to the community through the Community Outreach Ministries.


Each year Community Outreach Ministries holds an event in Cronulla to promote crucial public issues. This May, the “Good News Day” event highlighted people with disability and the work of their carers.
George has also represented the community in his role as a Sutherland Shire Councillor from 2008 to 2012 and was elected to the role of deputy mayor in 2011/2012.


George also served for a period of 17 years from 1986 as the Cronulla Sharks Rugby League team chaplain.


George is an active member of his community and is a deserving recipient of the NSW Government Community Service Award.

 

 

 

 

EASING CONGESTION IN CARINGBAH CBD

Quicker journey times are on their way for Caringbah motorists with improvements at the intersection of President Avenue and Kingsway.

The upgrade will improve traffic flow, increase capacity and reduce delays for thousands of road users on one of Sydney’s key corridors.

The upgrade includes duplicating the right turn lane from Kingsway into President Avenue, removing up to 14 restricted parking spaces in the eastbound lane of Kingsway to allow through traffic and enforcing no right turns from Hay Avenue onto Kingsway (buses excepted).

There will be replacement parking in Caringbah CBD. There will be around 14 replacement perpendicular car park spaces added in Hay Avenue next to the train line in the existing taxi holding area. In the Hay Avenue carpark, around 13 existing parking spaces next to Hay Lane will be converted to half hour parking.

In addition, the Sutherland Traffic Committee will investigate:

  • Hay Avenue becoming two way
  • An additional small taxi rank adjacent to the southern kerb of Kingsway immediately west of the traffic lights at the train station
  • Parallel parking on the north east side of Hay Lane
  • Perpendicular parking on the south side of Hay Avenue
  • No right turn from Port Hacking Road into Kingsway

A bus stop will remain on Kingsway heading east next to the train station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUTHERLAND COURTHOUSE OPEN DAY FOR MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES

A free open day will be held at Sutherland Courthouse for newly arrived migrants and refugees to learn more about fast, fair and accessible justice.

The event will give multicultural community members an opportunity to learn more about the law and how to solve common legal issues.

When you arrive in a new country, the cultural and language barriers you face are overwhelming. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to work closely with multicultural communities to ensure they have the tools to navigate the justice system.

Adjusting to life in a new country is challenging and events like the law information expo make it easier for multicultural communities to understand their rights and responsibilities.

This free event will break down barriers for new community members who may be unaware of valuable services that can help them address legal problems.

The open day will include information sessions on:

  • the difference between civil and criminal law;
  • how a court operates;
  • how to commence court proceedings;
  • victims services ;
  • consumer rights;
  • driving licences and rules

The open day will be held at the Sutherland Courthouse, Cnr Flora & Belmont St., Sutherland, on Friday, 3 August from 10am-1pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMPROVEMENTS FOR BUSY GYMEA INTERSECTION

Roads and Maritime Services is progressing plans to upgrade the intersection of President Avenue and Gymea Bay Road at Gymea to improve traffic flow and travel times for motorists.

The improvements will be delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $100 million Congestion and Safety Program which aims to ease congestion and improve safety on our roads.

Roads and Maritime is working with Sutherland Shire Council to develop a design for this busy intersection to improve safety and efficiency for the 40,000 vehicles which use it each day.

A high number of vehicles travel along President Avenue every day, resulting in congestion during the morning and afternoon peak periods.  This work will aim to improve travel times for motorists.

Work along President Avenue will include providing a dedicated left turn bay and an extended right turn bay from President Avenue into Gymea Bay Road northbound to improve traffic flows.

The southern side of President Avenue will also be widened to provide a dedicated left turn bay from President Avenue into Gymea Bay Road southbound.

The work is expected to start later this year.

The community and stakeholders will be kept up to date as the project progresses.

For more information about the Pinch Points Program visit rms.nsw.gov.au/pinchpoints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY THESE WINTER HOLIDAYS

School playgrounds in the Cronulla electorate will be available for the local community to use during the school holidays under an expansion of the successful Share Our Space Program.

Four Cronulla schools will now be open for the community to enjoy during the winter school holidays. Caringbah Public School, Kurnell Public School and Woolooware Public School will participate in the program along with Cronulla South Public School, which first threw open its gates during the April school holidays.

School playgrounds are valuable assets and by making them accessible outside of the school term they can provide a broader benefit to the whole community, including opportunities for sport on school ovals.

Allowing access to school grounds and sports facilities is also a great way to encourage children to keep active during the holidays.

The Share Our Space Program is part of the NSW Government’s recently announced $290 million Open Spaces and Green Sydney package.

Participating schools will receive a $5000 grant they can use to help upgrade their facilities for community and school use.

The schools will be open during the upcoming school holidays from 9 to 20 July, between 8am to 5pm.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN IN CRONULLA

More children in the Cronulla will have access to a quality early childhood education, with the NSW Government today announcing $42,400 to invest in attendance-encouraging initiatives in the Cronulla and Miranda electorates.


Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said the funding – part of the NSW Government’s Community Grants program – aims to increase the number of Aboriginal children and children from disadvantaged backgrounds attending a preschool program.


The following services in the Cronulla electorate have been successful in their Community Grants application:

Service Name Amount Awarded (Ex. GST) Activity
Kurnell Pre-School Kindergarten $6,000.00 Staff development, purchase cultural resources
Jacaranda Preschool $10,000.00 Staff development – embedding Aboriginal perspectives


For more information, visit the Department of Education website.