HPG’s position

HPG does not support the proposed draft amendment to the Management Plan for the Drill Hall Precinct nor the Planning Application for lights by Mosman Council.

core value

HPG upholds the fundamental importance of environment and heritage in determining development on Headland Park. This is embodied in the Trust Act, the Comprehensive Plan and the Plans of Management. HPG considers that the installation of lights on the Drill Hall netball courts does not accord with these values.

conclusion

The installation of lights at the Drill Hall netball courts would severely and adversely impact the preservation of the bushland setting, an important aspect of the Drill Hall’s historical and heritage importance.

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HPG supports of sport and recreation on Headland Park. However, HPG does not consider that Headland Park and the protective provisions contained in the Trust Act and supporting plans should be compromised to provide much needed facilities for Mosman Netball that Mosman Council has failed to provide.

As an unapologetic protector of the core values of the Trust, HPG implores the Trust to reject Mosman Council’s Planning Application to floodlight the Netball Courts at the Drill Hall Common.

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1.

Environment

In light of the omissions and inconsistencies inherent to the Draft Plan’s Recommendations, a credible, comprehensive, independent and up-to-date environmental impact assessment is essential to enable an informed discussion, and subsequent decision, on this proposal.

It is possible that the light poles would be seen from the harbour through the gaps in the vegetation and consequently light spillage even though the lights are described as directional. The landscape buffer between the proposed netball court lights and adjacent residential areas is not generous and certainly may not be sufficient to minimise the impact of the proposed lighting.

The existing parking is not sufficient for current uses. The proposed increase in the hours of use of the netball courts from 5.30pm –8.30pm would likely result in increased car movements.

2.

Heritage

The Drill Hall Precinct’s historical and environmental significance places it under the protection of the provisions of the EPBC Act, thus emphasising the utmost importance of preserving this locality. Once the erosion of these significant heritage sites takes place, all protections that have been thoughtfully put in place would become meaningless and place our precious and irreplaceable heritage and environment under threat.

3.

LEASING CONDITIONS

In 2006 the Trust leased the drill hall courts to Mosman Council. Item 20 (e) in the lease states “Provision of ball courts for daytime practice only." Special Conditions Clause 2 - the lease must NOT install or use any outdoor lighting for netball courts at any time, Clause 8(d) the formal use of the courts is limited to daylight hours only. These were inserted to protect the amenity of neighbouring properties.