At a glittering night that honoured The Shire’s adopted son, Glenn McGrath, paying tribute to his magnificent career, Councillor Redmond announced that Caringbah Oval would be renamed Glenn McGrath Oval, as a way of honouring not only his achievements on the field but those of it as well.
Cr Redmond said that Glenn McGrath’s contribution to cricket is well known and documented throughout the world and it is only fitting that the place he now calls home, The Shire, gives him this remarkable gift as a way of saying thanks for all the work he has put back into the Sutherland Cricket Club and community.
Photo: Glenn McGrath dismisses Brian Lara
Gunnamatta Baths to be repaired
Action has been promised to replace old, dilapidated pontoons at Gunnamatta Bay baths after complaints were made about the baths being neglected, with Sutherland Shire Council also moving to address other maintenance problems.
Cronulla RSL Swimming Club president Don Saunders said the meeting with Council was very positive and the club was extremely grateful for the support offered. Problem areas inspected included missing or damaged seats, signs, ladder, lighting, pontoons, paving and a sand build up in the bay at the southern end of the baths which causes rubbish to collect along the pool netting and inhibits the natural tidal flushing.
The pontoons, which provide a nine lane, 50-metre pool are quite old and technologically past their use by date and Council has agreed to replace them in the coming financial year
Deer shooting safe and sound
Sutherland Shire Council has reassured Bundeena residents who raised concerns about deer culling operations at Bundeena Oval that all shooting operations were carried out under stringent safety conditions.
Several Bundeena residents reported the shooting operation and were worried the shooting was conducted near the bowling club and in rainy conditions with poor visibility. A Council spokesperson said all shooting operations were designed to meet stringent safety concerns.
“The Council undertake several animal control programs annually,” she said. “Notification letters are issued to surrounding residents prior to the start of programs so residents can comment. Prior to every operation all surrounding residents, the police, National Parks and Wildlife Service and RSPCA are notified, warning signs are put in place on the sites and risk assessments are conducted to ensure the public are not in operational areas before the program is undertaken.
“Professional hunters are always used to ensure safety for the public and the humane treatment of animals. These types of operations run at night at least one hour after sunset and are not conducted during school holidays, on weekends or Friday nights.”
Fire Station pontoon a world first
Builders are putting the final touches on Woronora Bushfire Brigade’s new floating fire station. The $400,000 aluminium structure built on a floating pontoon 11 metres offshore is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.
The innovative station will house the brigade’s three boats and will dramatically reduce response times during emergencies. Fire fighters from Woronora Brigade, which protects the safety of bush circled riverfront communities, previously had to launch boats from the existing land based station using a winch and trailer.
The boats will now be stored directly on the pontoon and hydraulic lifts will lift boats in and out of the water in two minutes flat. The station was funded by Sutherland Shire Council and the State Government’s rural firer fighting fund.
It was built by Kirrawee based business Colorfen Constructions using products made by local manufacturers. Managing director Warwick Williams said the second stage of the project - the aluminium shed on top of the pontoon-took nine months to build. He said engineering problems resulted in minor changes being made to the station during the construction phase, delaying the completion date.
“Hopefully, the second one will be easier,” Mr Williams said. “It’s been a tough project but a good community one.”
A Council spokesperson said the existing land based station will also be upgraded. The upgrade will include the addition of a second storey to the building, which will include meeting rooms, offices, a kitchen, disabled toilets and amenities for the firefighters. | 
