Sportsgrounds gridlock

A planning proposal to rezone rural land in Warriewood for medium density housing has found little support from locals concerned about congestion, a lack of infrastructure, and the loss of land.

Henroth Investments, owners of 6 Jacksons Road and 10 – 12 Boondah Road, has submitted a plan to Northern Beaches Council to rezone the land to accommodate for four-storey residential flat buildings, yielding approximately 120 dwellings.

The proposal has been presented to Council with the proviso that the Jacksons Road site will be allocated as open space for the development of sporting fields adjacent to Warriewood Valley Sportsground.

However, Pittwater residents have expressed several concerns regarding the plan, including that local roads are already suffering from excessive congestion due to blockages, traffic lights, one ways and detours as a result of current development.

Dan Cook, vice president of one of the area’s largest sporting clubs, Narrabeen Football Club, says while the club could benefit from another full-length sports field, the lack of adequate roads access in the area will exacerbate the existing parking issues on weekends.

“There’s not been much infrastructure development to cater for the fact population growth in the area is so huge,” he explains.

“We definitely need more sporting space, there’s no doubt about that, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of not being able to get access to it because the entire area is gridlocked.”

“I don’t think Council should be having that offer of the land to be used as playing space waved under their nose as a bit of a sweetener so that they can get their development over the line.”

Mr Cook says he would like to see consultation between the owner, Council and the sporting clubs that the proposal directly impacts.

Council told Peninsula Living it has been made aware of community concerns about the planning proposal and will decide based on the recommendation of the application’s independent assessment.