Readers react to ‘Eyesore or opportunity?’, Ben Wollen’s September 2021 article on the old cokeworks at Coalcliff and how it should be converted into a recreational park.

No, it is inappropriate

Dear Editor, 

The proposal to convert the Coalcliff Coking plant to a recreational park (with affordable housing) is inappropriate for the Area. 

Mr Wollen’s examples of converting former industrial sites into public recreation / housing are all located in densely populated city areas with a lack of green space for the local population to utilise; Coalcliff is most certainly not comparable. Visitors to the Coalcliff Area and its surrounds are already at high numbers with related parking and traffic problems and has no capacity (or willingness by the State Government) for improvement to the road choke points (witness the regular 1.5km traffic jams at Stanwell Tops trying to access the Royal National Park and the coast) and at Thirroul. 

Access to the Coke Oven Site is difficult (and dangerous) to say the least. Any housing proposal for the Site will be at an immediate disadvantage due to the hilly, unstable nature of the escarpment, drainage issues, existing rail line and the lack of supporting infrastructure (eg no shops, lack of schools, medical services, emergency services, poor mobile phone coverage, etc).

Coalcliff residents suffer disturbances from the early hours of the morning to late in the evening each and every day – let’s not add to them. 

– Dave Shepherd, Coalcliff resident

Yes, I strongly agree

Hi Ben, 

I read your article this morning in 2515. I live between Thirroul and Duisburg-Essen and was delighted to read your appreciation of the industrial landscape of reclaimed mining areas. I am very fond of the Zollverein and the history it shares with human development and industry of the 20th century. I really love how the jungle, in the middle of Germany, is reclaiming this landscape.
I think it gives us hope, that the earth can forgive our greed and ambition. I strongly agree with the idea of a park. I intentionally take the train to work to Sydney because it goes through this “park” and gives me a feeling of adventure that I don’t get on the road, despite the wonder of the Sea Cliff bridge.

Thanks for your article!

– Johanna Elliott, Thirroul

Yes, do preserve the cokeworks site

Hi Ben, I want to congratulate you on the article you have penned for the 2515 magazine. I am a resident of Helensburgh and have spent lots of the last 40 years frequenting Coalcliff and Stanwell Park and our coast with my family and friends. I wholeheartedly endorse your argument for the preservation of the Coalcliff coke works site. It would be an excellent use for this site and one many could enjoy including the crowds who frequent our suburbs out of COVID lockdowns.

Well done on your article!

– Bronwyn Balderston, Helensburgh

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