The Weekly Times (10 April) reports that Council’s plans for an ‘all ability, inclusive’ playground are progressing, with funding of $250,000 already secured. When this project was proposed the Trust expressed concern that:

• the playground needs to be compatible with the Plan of Management for Boronia Park

• this type of playground needs a higher level of maintenance than standard Council playgrounds, so Council will need to plan for a maintenance budget. (Livvy’s Place playgrounds in Ryde and Five Dock show why this will be needed).

The Trust is part of Council’s Community Advisory Group that influences the Boronia Park’s Plan of Management. The Trust has been actively involved in developing the Boronia Park Plan of Management and remains committed to protecting, conserving and enhancing our heritage-listed site.

Green space is so precious, especially with the massive developments happening around us.

The updated Draft Plan of Management for Boronia Park will be on exhibition at Council from 19 August until 16 September 2015.

You can go to Council’s website to see:

• Updated Draft Plan of Management for Boronia Park July 2015
• Updated Concept Design
• Report on Consultation Outcomes for the Boronia Park Draft Plan of Management
• Councillor Briefing Minutes

Link here:  Updated Draft Boronia Park Plan of Management

Send written comments to the General Manager, Hunter’s Hill Council P.O. Box 21, Hunters Hill NSW 2110, or council@huntershill.nsw.gov.au.

Contact Council’s Bushland Management Officer, Jacqui Vollmer on 9879 9439 or email vollmerj@huntershill.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Boronia Park, Lane Cove River

There has been a huge response to the 2015 Draft Plan of Management for Boronia Park.  Council received:

• 522 submissions from individuals
• 12 submissions from clubs and organisations associated with the park (including Hunters Hill Trust)
• 2 petitions from the same group, one with 12 signatures and the other with 91 signatures.

The issues most commonly raised:

• 536 people emphasized the value of open space
• 277  support upgrades of the grandstand for community and sporting clubs use
• 271 want drainage improved to ovals #1 and #2
• 267 want disabled parking access
• 242 support proposals for the collection and reuse of water on the site
• 241 want turfing, regrading and resurfacing for ovals 1 & 2
• 233 noted the importance of informal recreation
• 224 noted the environmental values of the park
• 214 do not support any new building in the centre of the park
• 212 want access for emergency vehicle to organised sporting facilities
• 207 said Boronia Park is a highly valued place for everyone to enjoy
• 197 support new community facility building between ovals 2 and 3
• 99 highlighted heritage issues
• 54 were concerned about bushland management.

You can check the full Boronia Park 2015 Consultation Report.

Amendments to the Plan of Management will be presented to Council on Monday 25th May.

Boronia Park is getting a Plan of Management.  Tell Council what matters to you about Boronia Park, and how you want to protect it for future generations:    Complete a quick survey here. 

Protect our precious park:  more information about how to make sure we get a good plan here.

Tipperary Falls

Boronia Park is 24.2 hectares of precious public land that includes natural bushland, river frontage and a range of recreational facilities.

Council has just appointed Thompson Berrill Landscape Design Pty Ltd (http://tbld.com.au/) to review the Boronia Park PoM.

The plan is  to consult ‘community group stakeholders, sporting group stakeholders, relevant government agencies and local residents via community survey questionnaire leaflet, on site community survey and online survey. Consultation is likely to be held in July and August.

The Plan is expected to:

• Identify the aesthetic, biodiversity, recreational, education and scientific values of the park to the community
• Identify potential opportunities for future recreational development of the park based on community priorities
• Identify threats to the ecological quality of the bushland and provide strategies to sustainably manage the natural resources
• Address current issues including the mix of recreational facilities, recreation needs of residents, the natural bushland and conflict between users
• Prepare a concept plan showing practical future developments
• Prepare guidelines for future management and maintenance of the park
• Enable Hunter’s Hill Council to fulfil its responsibilities under NSW legislation in particular the Local Government Act 1993.

The time frames are tight.  A draft PoM will be presented to Council in September and exhibited until October, with the final Plan adopted before Christmas.