NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Cronulla Hotel & Heliport Proposal (1960)

Full Citation Below

In 1960, plans were unveiled for an 18-storey hotel, topped with a heliport, at Cronulla in Gerrale Street, opposite Cronulla Park and Cronulla Beach. From the information that I have, an exact location is not known, but based on maps, this development would have to be located in or around the intersection with Surf Road, which intersects with the park.

The estimated cost was around £3 million ($6 million).

Concerns were raised about the overshadowing of Cronulla Park and Cronulla Beach (also known as South Cronulla to locals), the loss of views, and noise concerns associated with the placement of a heliport atop the hotel, as well as parking issues. 

Sutherland Council rejected the proposal in June 1961, ensuring "no future for this hotel plan". 

Source: Anonymous. 1961. "No future for this hotel plan". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, June 28: 13. 

 

1974: End of the Lugarno Ferry

The opening of the Alfords Point Bridge in 1973 resulted in the end of the Lugarno Ferry. The Lugarno Ferry was a punt service carrying vehicles and people across the Georges River between Lugarno and Illawong. 

In March 1974, it was announced by the Main Roads Department that the ferry service would conclude on June 30 1974. It was not received well in Illawong, with some residents indicating that they would be forced to move homes.

Source: Anon. 1974. "Lugarno heartbreak: families to quit homes". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, April 3: 1. 

Sutherland Council backed the proposal given that daily patronage was averaging 540 vehicles, down from 1720 prior to closure. 

Source: Anon. 1974. "Bridge displaces ferry at Lugarno". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, April 3: 15. 

 

Source: Anon. 1974. "Ferry's six-month reprieve". The St George and Sutherland Leader, June 5:3. 

In June, it was announced that the ferry would close on December 12 1974. However, a reduced service would operate for the final five months of its operation.

While residents on both sides of the river were happy that the service would continue to operate in the short term, concerns were raised that youths and the elderly would be disadvantaged as they did not have cars and were dependent on the ferry to cross the river. 

 

Source: Anon. 1974. "Ferry to stay". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, June 12: 5.

Residents had petitioned Hurstville and Sutherland Council to maintain the service. While Hurstville Council backed the residents, Sutherland Council believed that the service was "no longer needed". The costs of operating the ferry had become financially unviable in its final years of operation, even though the service did not provide a toll

 

Source: Anon. 1974. "Champagne as ferry ends run". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 4: 9.

Source: Anon. 1974. "Lugarno Ferry R.I.P". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, December 18: 3. 

December 12 1974, saw the ferry undertake its final run after 131 years of operation. There was a ceremony to mark its closure involving representatives of Sutherland and Hurstville Councils along with the Department of Main Roads. The ferry was relocated to Berowra.

Related Entries

MILESTONE: Alfords Point Bridge turns 50 (1973) - Opening

MILESTONE: Alfords Point Bridge turns 50 (1973) - Proposals and construction

Property Advert of the Week: Ewos Towers Cronulla (1969)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1969 promoting apartments in the Ewos Towers at Cronulla. The apartment tower located in Ewos Parade was offering eighteen two-bedroom apartments from just $17 000. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, the apartments cost the equivalent of $229 000 in today's money. Apartments in the complex can sell for over $1.1 million today,

  

Source: Harvey Real Estate Co. Pty. Ltd. 1969. "Untitled" (Advertisement). The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, December 17: page unknown.

Property Advert of the Week: Sylvania Terrace, Sylvania Waters (1988)

Below is a 1988 newspaper advertisement by Meriton Properties (Apartments) promoting townhouses in their development at Sylvania Waters. It was advertised as being located at the corner of Box Road and Belgrave Esplanade. 

Source: Meriton Properties Pty. Ltd. 1988. "Sylvania Terrace" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, October 14: 7.

Property Advert of the Week: Bonnet Bay Land Release - Stage 4 (1967)

In 1967, Parkes Developments had blocks of land for sale in the "Woronora Gardens" estate in what is now Bonnet Bay in the Sutherland Shire. It was their first release of blocks in Stage 4.

150 pounds or three hundred dollars was needed to secure your deposit.

Note that with the introduction of decimal currency in 1966, goods and services could still be advertised in pounds, shillings and pence for two years as part of the changeover.

 

Source: Parkes Developments. 1967. "magnificient waterviews...Jannali" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, January 28: 41

Related

Woronora Gardens, Bonnet Bay (1965) 

Property Advert of the Week: Pacific Waters Estate, Bundeena (1963)

This is the first our "Property Advert of the Week" entries for 2022. Below is a 1963 newspaper advertisement for a land release at Bundeena in the Sutherland Shire. The estate appears to covers the streets located in the south-eastern corner of the township bounded by Bournemouth and Scarborough Streets. Only a ten pound deposit landed you a block of land. 

 

Source: C. R. Degotardi (Sales) Pty. Ltd. "Bundeena (near Cronulla) Land Sale" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, November 9: 20.

Property Advert of the Week: Engadine Land Release (1968)

Below is a 1968 newspaper advertisement promoting the sale of 62 lots at Engadine in 1968 located in what I believe is Karramarra Road & Banal Road. The deposit was $90 and lots ranged from $3400 to $4700. 

Source: Source: Treloar Realty Pty. Ltd. 1968. "Land $90 Genuine Full Dep. On Any Lot "(Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 8: 42.

1965: Sylvania Waters Feature

Above: Sylvania Waters as photographed in 1965. Full citation below. 

The Daily Telegraph published in 1965, a feature on Sylvania Waters, which was being promoted as Sydney's "first marine suburb". It focused on the planning and design approach towards the suburb. Over 200 acres of land was being reclaimed from Gwawley Bay, formerly home to mangroves and oyster leases.

While much of the land had been reclaimed from Gwawley Bay, sand from the Kurnell Sandhills was mixed in sections. The curved shorelines were designed to ensure that water could circulate with the rise and fall in tides.  The roads also reflect the curved nature of the shoreline. This aerial sourced from Google Earth depicts the suburb today with the street layout.

 

For the developers - Sylvania Waters Pty. Ltd. (now known as Sylvania Waters Ltd.), it was estimated that the 800 homesites would have a combined value of 10 million pounds (or $20 million) when the development was completed by 1968. This did not eventuate they were still selling vacant housing sites into the 1970's. 

The full article appears below.

   

Source: Anon. 1965. "Marine estate from swamp". The Daily Telegraph, January 25, 20. 

I have enlarged the aerial photograph at the top of the entry to highlight progress at the time of publication. Murray Island (towards the bottom of image or northern end of the suburb) was completed (1964). James Cook and Barcoo islands were under construction. 

Normally, I would reserve real estate advertisements for Saturday's but the advertisement complements the article and hence have included it in this entry. The attached map does exclude streets and cul-de-sacs that were built either to the west or south of Belgrave Esplanade. 

MILESTONE: Opening of the Woronora Bridge (2001) - Part 2

This week is my second and concluding entry on the opening of the Woronora Bridge in 2001. Thursday (February 11), will mark twenty years since the bridge opened to the public.

Last week's entry focused on planning and construction of the bridge. As promised, this entry will focus on opening day.

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reported on February 6, 2001 that the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) had yet to announce who would officially open the bridge.  

The bridge was officially opened by NSW Premier Bob Carr. Before the road was opened to traffic, the public were invited to walk across the bridge for the cost of a gold coin donation. Activities and entertainment were provided on both sides of the bridge at Akuna Oval, Bangor and Sutherland Oval. 

Motorists were allowed to access the bridge the following day (February 12, 2001).

Below are newspaper reports associated with the opening.

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader

February 13 2001

This article (below) was published on Page 2. 

The Daily Telegraph

February 12, 2001, Page 9

The Sydney Morning Herald

February 12, 2001, Page 3. 

Below are assorted news clippings relating to the opening uploaded to Youtube by "TheTVGuru3". 

Finally, while the bridge provided improved road connections to Menai, Menai Road continued to remain congested. This led to the construction of the Bangor Bypass from the bridge to Old Illawarra Road in 2005. The North-South section connecting the bypass Old Illawarra Road Menai to Alfords Point Road was completed in 2011. 

MILESTONE: Opening of the Woronora Bridge (2001) - Part 1

On February 11, it will be twenty years since the Woronora Bridge at Woronora was opened to motorists. the bridge linking Sutherland with Menai. replaced a two lane, low level bridge

In the first of this two part series, this entry will focus on the conception of the design and newspaper clippings relating to its planning and construction. Next week, news clippings will be posted.

Why a new bridge?

In 1981, a two lane bridge was completed across the Woronora River to replace a bridge that had been built in 1912. This bridge is still used today to carry local traffic in the suburb. 

However, Menai (and surrounding suburbs) was opened up to urban development. It had begun in the 1980's and therefore road links to and from Menai had to be provided.

The Alfords Point Bridge provided a major road link from Menai to Bankstown, but at that time was only three lanes.

Menai and River Roads which linked Menai with Sutherland provided challenging conditions for drivers in the Woronora Valley with its "S" Bends. This can still be experienced when you take the turnoffs for Woronora in any direction.

Above: This article from The Sydney Morning Herald in 1992 highlighted the difficulties of navigating through the Woronora Valley.

Source: Simpson, L. 1992. "The Coward of Granny's Elbow may be too slick". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 11:3. 

The Greiner Government when elected in 1988 promised to fund roadworks in the "Menai Area".

Planning and Construction

In 1990, plans were released. The design inspired by the curved Roseville Bridge called for a two decked bridges, each with two lanes. The first deck would be completed by 1994, while the second deck would not be needed until around "2000". 

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader (November 20, 1990) reported that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) identified two concerns - Visual Impacts and Increased noise. The bridge was 32 metres high at its lowest point and construction was projected to cost $46 million. 

Construction commenced in 1994 with the State Government providing $6 million towards the construction of pylons.

When the Labor party formed Government in NSW in 1995, Premier Bob Carr provided no further funding citing environmental concerns, siding with Sutherland Council. Construction was stopped. 

Source: Morris, L. 1995. "Clash over $1bn 'shelved' roads". The Sydney Morning Herald, November 1:5.  

Bushfires at Menai in 1997 along with traffic studies highlighted the need for a new bridge and it led to the State Government to provide funding to complete the bridge. $47 million was allocated in mid 1998 to complete the bridge but with four lanes. 

Source: Bernoth, A. 1998. "Planned Woronora bridge gains two more lanes". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 24:4.

Finally, NSW Roads (successor of the Roads and Traffic Authority) uploaded a short film to Youtube documenting construction.

 

Part II next week. 

1992: Boat Harbour is handed to the public

Thomas Holt purchased the land that encompasses Boat Harbour at Kurnell in 1861. Holt was a major landholder in the Sutherland Shire and owned the entire Kurnell Peninsula.

It meant that the beach at Boat Harbour was also privately owned, unlike other Sydney beaches. Access was only via 4WD.

In 1992, his descendants (still under the Holt family name) handed Boat Harbour to the public.

Below is an article from September 1992 announcing the news.

Source: Cramsie, D. 1992. "Beach free for all". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, September 7:4. 

There was mention of a proposed resort (never proceeded). This will be subject to a separate entry in the future.

Boat Harbour is now an Aquatic Reserve and remains pristine. Currently the reserve is managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. 4WD's can access the park but are banned from driving on the dunes at a cost of $30 per vehicle.

EVOLUTION OF WESTFIELD MIRANDA: The fourth expansion (2014)

This is our last entry in the evolution of Westfield Miranda (Miranda Fair). It has been a great and exciting journey of its evolution.

This month happens to be five years since the last of the expansions over its 55-year period occurred.

The timing was perfect. The centre was turning 50. The perfect way to celebrate a half-century of serving the Sutherland Shire.

But how did it get there?

The last expansion was in 1992, which made it the first in 22 years. It also meant that the first decade of the 21st century was the only decade where there was no major expansion or upgrade of the complex.

Meanwhile, the Sutherland Shire continued to grow in population, but disposable incomes were on the rise fuelling demand for high-end retailers.

In 2009, expansion plans were approved by Sutherland Council, but construction did not commence until 2013.

This resulted in the current centre featuring 470 retailers (up 100).

Expansion works concentrated on the western half of the complex, with the entrance moved forward to the Kingsway, and there was a reconfiguration of the layout, though some of the original areas from 1964 were retained. The office building was demolished, and there was controversy over the demolition of the famous revolving star atop the building. The Moreton Bay fig at the Kingsway Entrance was incorporated into the expanded complex.

Myer shrank its space from four floors to three. This allowed Woolworths to relocate into the space. on level 2 Woolworths anchored a new fresh food hall that is more upmarket than the fresh food hall located at the eastern end of the centre (Anchored by Coles, who replaced Franklins).

Mini majors led by international clothing brands, including Uniqulo and Zara moved in.

A major feature of the expansion was the construction of an entertainment precinct which included a new Event Cinemas complex (relocated from the basement at the Kiora Road end) and restaurants along the Kingsway. The cinemas opened in 2015.

The former cinema site was converted into a Skyzone, a trampoline park catering to kids. Despite its popularity, it is due to close.

Model (and local) Cheyenne Tozzi officially opened the redeveloped centre on November 27, 2014. Below is a Nine News Report from November 2014 reporting on Stage 2.

Below are photos I have taken of the centre as it is today. Photos were taken by yours truly.

Restaurant Precinct

Kingsway Entrance (including the Moreton Bay fig tree)

That concludes the series on the evolution of Westfield Miranda (Miranda Fair). Below are links to the previous entries in the series.

1962
1964 (Part 1)
1964 (Part 2)
1969
1971 (Part 1)
1971 (Part 2)
1984-1985
1992

EVOLUTION OF WESTFIELD MIRANDA: More Expansion (1992)

The 1990's bought another expansion for Westfield Miranda which was its largest expansion to date. This was completed in 1992.

Westfield had spent around two decades purchasing sites in the block bounded by the Kingsway, Kiora Road, Urunga Parade and Jackson Avenue including shops, offices, Miranda Police Station and the Miranda Congregational Church. St Lukes Anglican Church refused offers to sell, though they did sell a small portion of the site.

For expansion to proceed (and gain support of locals and council), Westfield purchased sites within Miranda to relocate the police station (Cnr Wilcock Street and Kiora Road) and Miranda Congregational Church (Cnr Kariumbla and Kiora Street). Westfield also funded the construction of the new buildings for Miranda Congregational Church.

Source: Stark, N. 1991. "Huge Westfield complex set for Miranda". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, May 16: 2.

Expansion plans were officially unveiled in 1991. The expanded centre would contain 370 retailers, up from around 160 retailers..

New retailers included David Jones which meant that Miranda would once again have two major department stores on the one site. BigW was now forced to compete with Target and did an upgrade of their store.

Grace Bros did an upgrade of their existing store.

Greater Union would occupy an eight screen entertainment complex and was joined by a new food court and restaurants.

Above: Advertisement to promote the opening of Greater Union at Miranda in 1992.

The expansion was completed in stages with the full expansion officially opened to shoppers on October 1, 1992. The crowds flocked in their hundreds of thousands. Yours truely as a young child does remember going on that first weekend and yes it was full.

Source: Davis, G & Habermann, L. 1992. "Shopping crowds flock to Miranda". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, October 8: 2. 

Below are some advertisements to promote the Westfield Expansion as advertised in The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader on various dates in 1992.

Below is an advertisement for Country Road which promoted itself as a Department Store.

Westfield produced its own special advertisement for the opening of David Jones in August 1992.

Finally is an advertisement to promote Tilt, which was a video game and entertainment arcade complex. With the rise of video gaming during the 1990's, it would not see out the decade. It occupied the space now occupied by Aldi and The Reject Shop.