Transcript from: “Mosman News” August 2001
Bungaree Sports Centre: How it Could Look
Exciting opportunities to improve recreation facilities in Mosman have been generated by the formation of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. The legislation which has created the Trust acknowledges the historic significance of the land at Middle Head and Georges Heights.
The legislation also recognises the potential to provide public access, not only to the Harbour from the land, but also to the bushland environment that so enhances both Sydney and Middle Harbours.
Mosman residents already enjoy the use of Middle Head and Georges Heights Ovals. These were extensively upgraded by Council in the 1970s and have been managed and maintained by ratepayers since that time.
The legislation recognises both the heritage value of buildings as well as their value to the community. Additionally, the legislation allows for the Commonwealth to transfer land to either the State or Mosman Council.
There is a legacy of military occupation in the area in the form of buildings of various modes of construction, some well maintained and others falling into disrepair. Some are rich in heritage value; others may be beyond rehabilitation or may require decontamination. This will incur significant cost.
For decades there has been a lack of sporting facilities in Mosman and residents have to regularly travel to other areas for their children's sport. Recent approval of a Council-owned 25m swim centre at Spit Junction has achieved a major Council objective. Council believes that by recycling the 1 Commando Company compound at Georges Heights many more dreams can also come to fruition.
Council is in the process of preparing final plans for replacing the grass nettball [sic] courts with all weather courts at Rawson Park at an estimated cost of $320,000. For too long netballers have had to tolerate an unacceptable playing surface and no facilities whatsoever, and have been at the mercy of the weather. However, there is a better solution. After gaining "in principle" support from both our State and Federal parliamentarians Council has commenced negotiations with the Trust about the future of the 1 Commando site.
It is the view of the Council that the proposal will fit well with the holistic planning approach of the Trust, in that the proposal is to swap the present netball court area at Rawson Park for the 1 Commando site.
The Trust states a desire to enhance the scenic beauty of the land by extending the bush to provide a sequence of spaces to follow the existing ovals and plateaus like glades circled by trees. Council, in the same spirit, believes that with a land swap the existing grass common occupied, by the Rawson Park netball courts can be revegetated. This will allow creation of a bush and wildlife corridor to the existing Bradley Bushland Reserve facing Middle Head Road.
![Photograph of the existing Georges Heights/Rawson Park area. [as at 2001]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d645fc3135f8e0001598a58/1573886786256-5V75NIT60N5UA2WL6GRO/Bungaree-Sporting-Proposal-Brochure-image-1.jpg)
The Council’s proposal is a balanced approach designed to complement and enhance the overall vision for the headland.
If the Trust were to agree, Council would totally fund the following works:
Demolition of all buildings at the 1 Commando Company compound at Georges Heights with the exception of the existing gymnasium, and including demolition of the existing houses immediately to the south.
If necessary, lowering of the roof of the gymnasium and a possible small extension to the east to obtain best internal configuration for netball/indoor hockey/basketball etc.
Creation of two full-size football fields at Georges Heights, including tree planting and drainage improvements and easing of slopes fronting Middle Head Road.
Five all-weather netball/basketball courts for local usage and training purposes by schools and clubs.
Re-vegetation of the existing grassed netball area at Rawson Park and removal of the Council's stored materials adjacent to the Sydney Harbour National Park.
In addition to the obvious environmental advantages of the Council's idea of a land swap, Mosman residents would have an all-weather indoor facility that would include toilets/change rooms etc.
Residents and local schools would be able to enjoy a facility that many other newer areas of Sydney take for granted and sporting pursuits of both boys and girls could be enjoyed at one central location.
Nearly l ha, or (2 ½ acres) of asphalt and concrete hard stand would be removed from the Georges Heights/ Rawson Park area under the proposal. In addition more than two-thirds of the buildings in the I Commando site would be removed.
The alternative is for Council to expend $320,000 on hard surface multi-purpose courts at Rawson Park. The Trust will benefit from Council fully funding the works over an agreed period. The Trust will therefore be able to concentrate on its core responsibilities and will avoid the need to raise funds through the unnecessary commercialisation of existing buildings simply to finance management plans. Council thinks many of these buildings should be demolished and not simply maintained for short-term finance generation.