Mosman Council approves community works
Two much-anticipated redevelopments have been given the green light following Council approval on Tuesday 7 August with the ageing KOE pavilion at Allan Border Oval and Council’s childcare centre at Balmoral Park set to be redeveloped to meet community needs.
The construction of the Allan Border Oval pavilion follows investigations by Council over a number of years, with Council considering the latest concept designs prepared for the site and resolving to proceed with detailed designs, construction documentation and preparation of a development application for a new pavilion.
“The decision to give the green light to these two important community works has been the culmination of years of work by Council staff to investigate how to meet the needs of our local residents by providing appropriate contemporary and fit-for-purpose facilities in two key locations,” Mosman Council General Manager Dominic Johnson said.
“The redevelopment of the 80-year-old pavilion, which was no longer meeting the needs of users and required significant works to meet minimum compliance standards, was identified five years ago in MOSPLAN following representations from sporting clubs.
“Feedback from the clubs requested more secure storage, a better connection between the building and the park with height maintained for viewing matches and better function space and the concept design selected, which will involve public consultation during the development application stage, addresses these requirements while maintaining a similar building footprint and sensitivity to the scenic park setting.”
Facilities on the ground floor of the new pavilion will include change rooms, public toilet amenities, groundkeeper/storage facilities, and kiosk. First floor facilities, accessible via a lift, will include a function room, kitchen, toilets, scorers’ room and terrace.
The new building will be constructed on the same location as the current pavilion which was built in 1939, with the Mosman Occasional Care Centre on the ground floor of the existing pavilion to be transferred to a new, purpose-built childcare centre at Balmoral Park.
Council also resolved on Tuesday to enter into a contract for the design and construction of the new 38-place childcare centre which is proposed to cater for children aged 2 to 5 years between the hours of 7.30am and 6.00pm with a mixed model of care including occasional care.
“It’s exciting to have this opportunity to construct a purpose built childcare centre and to provide care for more children and families within the community in such a beautiful setting,” Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said.
The approval follows action taken by Council earlier this year to shortlist tenderers for the design and construction of the new childcare centre, and subsequent consideration of concept designs by shortlisted companies. Relevant Owners Consent will be sought from the NSW Department of Industry – Crown Lands prior to lodgement of a development application.
Another key project was also approved at Tuesday’s meeting, with construction soon starting on critical refurbishment works, accessibility improvements and a revamped customer service area for Mosman’s Civic Centre and other major civic facilities.
The Civic Centre Upgrade will be combined with improvements to Barry O’Keefe Library and the council depot to form the Capital Building Works Program, which will be constructed by Intermain Pty Ltd and run from September to December 2018.
While primarily focused on essential repair work to Mosman Council’s ageing ventilation, flooring, furniture and drainage systems, the Civic Centre Upgrade will also improve disability access and facilities in the Chambers and adjoining Seniors Centre, and modernise the customer service and foyer area.