The Police Station blocks near Tradies would be the best place for a new Helensburgh Community Centre and Library, a local resident with experience in master planning town centres told the Flame.
Commenting after Neighbourhood Forum 1 unanimously rejected Wollongong City Council’s Draft Plan of Management for Helensburgh Park in September, landscape architect Scott Spiers said, “This community centre is going to be the jewel in the crown for Helensburgh. If we get it wrong, it’s like a huge missed opportunity and it could impact the town for many future generations.”
“To me, that [police station] is the ideal site for the community centre because of the opportunity for additional parking. You could easily make that the street there front to curb, 45-degree angle parking. It’s an easy win and it’s affordable.
“It’s opposite an existing playground. It’s got dual street access. It’s out of the bushfire high-risk area. It’s co-located with an existing swimming pool, a sports club, the Tradies Club and the sporting precinct. So it’s almost like the active centre of town. The community centre needs to be located in a place that people can walk freely between open space and recreation areas.”
Scott has lived in Helensburgh with his family for 10 years and contributed to the town centre master plan as well as the campaign to stop Coles from opening a Liquorland on Walker St.
“I definitely would reject the plan of management. I think it’s inadequate. It lacks detail. It feels like a band-aid, knee-jerk reaction.
“If you look at the Thirroul Community Centre – Helensburgh people want something of similar quality. We want something that’s going to be long-lasting and meaningful for us.”
Should the Police Station site not be possible, another site could be between the soccer club and the pool buildings near Tradies, he said.
“You would have spectacular views across the bush while also respect the existing pool area which was built by the community.”
Scott said the decision was too important to rush. “My view is wait and do it properly.”