GREEN MILE TAKES ON BLUE MILE, WOLLONGONG

We are concerned members of the Wollongong community who oppose the proposed Development Application to move the Sky Dive the Beach administration building from its current site. We oppose it being moved to the southern end of George Hanley Drive thereby blocking the view of the village green that is Stuart Park. We believe that Wollongong City Council should revise their Blue Mile Plan and consider the Green Mile of Stuart Park. This park has been designed for all of the community to enjoy. In a win-win situation, the administrative head quarters of Sky Dive could be relocated so that everyone enjoys this unique heritage site.

Sky Dive Administration building has been told by Wollongong City Council to move to the eastern end of George Hanley Drive where the green space exists to accommodate the Blue Mile Plan. This is a privately run company that operates on Crown Land, using 40% of our village green. They currently pay $400 a week for this entitlement. Other ‘commercial ventures’ in the area are paying more than 4x times this amount. They are also the registered owners of a Blacksmith business that shoes horses that has its address as Stuart Park, North Wollongong.

This new building is costing $1.2 million, which is money that could be spent elsewhere in the Illawarra like the Fowlers Rd Bridge. While Sky Dive the beach has received a Federal Grant of $895,000 it has not been disclosed how much of this is going to the construction of the new premises nor how much the Wollongong City Council is contributing.

Past history has shown the need for transparency in what the new lease agreement is and what is the Council’s vested interest in a privately run company that gives them such privileges over and above other commercial enterprises like the personal trainers who were the subject of much media scrutinisation recently.

· The new proposed administration building is significantly larger than the existing building located in the centre of the park, including additional commercial functions that are not appropriate to the stated administrative functions. It includes a café that goes into direct opposition to other cafes in the area and half of their footprint is this café and a merchandise store. The current building is being demolished to make way for The Blue Mile Master Plan.

· This Blue Mile Master Plan was the brainchild of the previous Council and was inherited by this current council. It was due for completion in 2012 and is way behind schedule and is considerably over budget – the city mall being a case in point amongst many.

The Blue Mile vision is not set in concrete. Variations have occurred before and this is being asked of them again.

· This proposed new building will take away everyone’s view of Stuart Park, our village green, which is for all of the people and the visitors to our area. No longer will people be able to see the village green from George Hanley Dr or from Kembla St. The site will be dominated by a privately owned and operated building.

· This proposed location would impose additional traffic and significantly more parking pressures in the North Beach and Stuart Park areas which is difficult at the best of times let alone on major events and public holidays.

· The recently completed cycling path that was erected from George Hanley Dr through to the green zone of Stuart Park a couple of years ago at a substantial cost and one that is constantly and safely used, is being ripped up and relocated further down. Cyclists and joggers and walkers have already expressed their concerns about the safety of this new suggested site. This new path will go past the garbage bin area of this new building as just as one example and is not the wide open and safety path that they and we are entitled to.

· Current marketing of Sky Dive the Beach does not require their administration office to be located in such a prominent location. It has expanded rapidly as a business with operations all over Australia already from its current location in the cottage

Other options exist:

Option 1 – refurbish the current building where it stands. Surely replacing this with a fountain when we live right on the water is just ridiculous.

Option 2 – relocate to Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow where they currently land also. There is lot of parking and no residents nor community members to upset.

Option 3 – incorporate with the soon to be built North Wollongong Surf Club – a considerable saving from the expected 1.2million for the Sky Dive new building. Also locates a lot of tourism resources in the one place.

Option 4 – relocated further west to Squires way

Option5 – utilize the Illawarra Regional Airport (Albion Park) as HQ. There are many vacant buildings that could be fitted out there. Also the planes already leave from there and there is ample parking.

Option 6 – relocate to the corner of George Hanley Dr and Cliff Rd and keep all of the buildings together and where there is parking across the road

Contact ….. of Green Mile Action Group for further discussion.

Object to this by:

1. Lodging an objection at Wollongong City Council by emailing,

To: council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Subject: Application Number DA-2014/306, Proposal Construction of a new administration building for Sky Dive the Beach

2. Writing to every Council member regardless of ward to vote against this. A list of the Councillors and there contact details is on the Green Mile Website.

3. Registering both a personal objection and also an objection as part of Green Mile Action Group.

CLOSING DATE FOR OBJECTIONS: is 28th April, 2014

Green Mile Action Group

www.greenmileaction.com

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