The Mayor's Column
We have some gorgeous beaches in Mosman. Looking down Awaba Street from the top of the hill, how heart stopping is that panoramic view of Balmoral, your eyes sweeping out between the Heads to the blue Pacific!
The strollers, the Nippers, the swimmers, the picnickers, the diners, the weddings, Shakespeare By The Sea, the romance of the Esplanade and the historic Rotunda! The sailors, bike riders, kids, personal trainers, dogs – Balmoral has the lot!
Balmoral is the only popular Sydney beach remaining, north or south, which has no parking meters. It is free for visitors. However, there is a cost to Council, amounting to about $850,000 a year excluding a budgeted capital expenditure for 2007/08 of well in excess of $1M. This includes beach cleaning, which is done every day. There are four public amenities blocks servicing the length of Balmoral. Unfortunately, from time to time thoughtless people smash bottles and leave litter which is not only unsightly but dangerous. We just clean it up, as fast as possible. The same with graffiti. The Rotunda and surrounding buildings attract these mindless vandals. On current trends it is estimated that graffiti removal alone will cost Council over $13,500 for Balmoral reserves alone.
Chinaman’s Beach is a bit of a hidden treasure, with the restoration of the sand dunes and the hand picking of any rubbish to encourage the return of the indigenous flora and marine life. The seaweed is left on the beach, and crabs and other creatures are returning. Council’s environmental co-ordinator has been responsible for this award winning project. With the adjacent Rosherville Reserve providing a green open space with trees for picnics and games, this is a great place to spend a day, summer or winter.
Clifton Gardens was once the site of an old hotel. Wild behaviour brought about its demolition and we are now blessed with a wide green space, shady trees, a netted swimming pool and a fabulous new playground for the kids. I believe Council needs to put in a little coffee shop and it would be perfect. The upkeep costs for Clifton Gardens reserve is around $150,000 per annum. The old toilet block needs to be replaced very soon at a cost in the vicinity of $400,000 – depending on what is constructed.
Sirius Cove is known as a great place for dogs to run free and have a swim. There is another new playground to be built here this financial year and the necessary annual maintenance cost to Council for this reserve including the toilet block is approximately $120,000.
This is all money well spent as these beaches are places of recreation which provide special experiences and memories for so many people, but I think it is important that people know how much Council has to spend improving and maintaining them.
Cr Denise Wilton, Mayor of Mosman
