Council has considered the Development Application (DA) from the Cricket Club to build a storage shed and associated structures between No. 1 Oval and the practice nets. Besides the shed, they proposed a concreted paved area, two shelters (one containing an electric barbecue, the other a table and benches), and a planter ‘feature’.

There had been a simple shed on this site, but earlier this year, without formal approval from Council, the Club demolished it (and cut down a large Casuarina tree) and commenced to build a larger shed on the site. Although not stated in the DA, it seems part of the reason for the proposal was to house bowling machines for use in the cricket nets.

All Councillors were present at the meeting, with Mayor Richard Quinn in the chair, and there was a long discussion on this item.

Tony Coote (for the Hunters Hill Trust) and Alister Sharp addressed the meeting, but no representatives from the Cricket Club were present. The motion to adopt the Cricket Club’s proposal was moved by Zac Miles, but lapsed for want of a seconder.

A second motion by Meredith Sheil, to defer the matter pending discussion with the Cricket Club regarding a revised proposal, was adopted 6 : 0.

Councillors seemed generally opposed to more ad-hoc development at the Reserve, and in favour of a review of the Plan of Management for Boronia Park (Barry Smith said this was planned for next year anyway).

The general feeling seemed to be that the Cricket Club should drop their DA, and, if urgently requiring space to store bowling machines, simply replace the previous shed which, if replacing ‘like with like’ (i.e. a corrugated steel shed) would not require a DA at all.

Another aspect of the proposal is that the DA application may be invalid. The Ryde – Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Protection Society has received advice that any person or body other than a public authority requires written consent from the land owner (i.e. the State) to lodge a DA for work on Crown Land, and that the consent of Council is not adequate.