An updated Plan of Management for Stanwell Park Reserve and Bald Hill Lookout, which was endorsed by Council on Monday, will be sent to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands for approval to adopt.
For the past couple of years, we’ve used a place-based Plan of Management to look after the Community Land owned by Council and the NSW Government at Stanwell Park Reserve and Bald Hill Lookout. Although separated geographically, these places are connected visually through the history of flight and on-going activity of hang gliding.
Our updated Plan of Management takes into consideration community feedback, acknowledges investments made by Council in recent years and meets current legislative requirements.
“Over the past ten years, Council has made significant investments into this area with the construction of a new Beach Kiosk at Stanwell Park Beach, building new public toilets in Baird Park and redeveloping the Bald Hill Lookout in line with the Council endorsed Bald Hill Masterplan,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM.
“Stanwell Park Reserve and Bald Hill Lookout are significant sites that are valued by our community and visitors to the area, so it’s important that we continue to care for and manage these sites appropriately.
“From December 2020 to February 2021, the draft Plan of Management was on public exhibition and received 31 written submissions from interested community members. We’ve reviewed this feedback and made minor amendments to the draft Plan to address questions raised by our community.”
Now that this document has been endorsed by Council, the next step is to refer the draft Plan of Management to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for approval to finalise its adoption.
“Our community shared in-depth feedback on a number of different topics that are important to them,” Cr Bradbery said.
“This included comments about how we manage crowds, litter and parking during peak periods, the selection process for the kiosk operator at Stanwell Park Reserve, potential facility improvements to the Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club and the ongoing management of Aboriginal culture and heritage for both sites.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback on the draft document. We value the input from all community members who use and enjoy our public land and your feedback helps us understand what matters to you.”
