SUSTAINABILITY REPORT - Landcom

Public entry to Prince Henry at Little Bay has been improved with the
construction of a wheel chair-accessible timber viewing deck and a
stairway to the beach. Additional protective fencing and the resiting
of a golf tee has increased public safety in the area of the Coast Golf
Course, which forms an integral part of the public amenity. A war
memorial and chapel overlooking the beach dating from the 1980s
is being retained.
Significant remediation of contaminated land was carried out during
the demolition of buildings deemed insignificant to the site, with
monitoring by the Environment Protection Authority. Remediation
works will continue as redevelopment proceeds. About 90% of the
building materials such as timber, metal and glass were recycled,
with the bricks and mortar used for road rubble. Hazardous materials
such as asbestos were also safely removed.
In addition to the golf course, there is also significant natural
bushland on the site, including two stands of the endangered
ecological community of Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS).
Landcom and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service have
established a fund to manage ESBS on-site and contributed $100,000
to NPWS to manage ESBS in the Botany Bay National Park.
Plant species have been carefully balanced, with existing exotic trees
such as Norfolk Pine and Phoenix Palms forming part of the historic
fabric of the site and deemed worthy of retention. In coming years,
Landcom will continue to plant indigenous trees and shrubs.
On the northern perimeter of the site, an area of geological
significance was uncovered during sand mining in earlier years.
This area is also being preserved.
As of 1 June 2004, Landcom has spent $75 million on the Prince
Henry site. One of the first completed projects was the Flowers
Ward Nursing and Medical Museum, officially opened in November
last year.
Prince Henry’s long association with community groups continues
as it moves into its new era. Organisations either on-site or planning
to move there once construction is completed include the Coast
Centre for Seniors, Trained Nurses Association, Surf Life Saving
Australia, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, Aboriginal and Islander Health
Worker Journal, Women’s Alcohol and Drug Advisory Centre and the
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council. Landcom has
committed more than $20 million to make sure that these
organisations, and others like them, find a new home at the new
Prince Henry.
INDIGENOUS
HERITAGE
The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service was relocated to Kingsford Smith airport and Landcom has helped the service
prepare for its permanent relocation to the Botany Bay National Park at Cape Banks.
Substantial upgrading of the site access along Anzac Parade is underway, improving vehicle and pedestrian safety for visitors.
Acknowledgement of Landcom’s vision and commitment to sustainable development has come in the form of many awards,
including:
– Urban Development Institute of Australia – Concept Design (2003).
– Planning Institute of Australia NSW Division – Commendation for Excellence in Planning for Urban Design Plans and Ideas (2003).
– Sustainable Water Challenge – Water Sensitive Design Award Winner (2003).
Awards are one thing: assuring a balanced future for a prime parcel of coastal land 150 times the size of the Sydney Cricket Ground –
and with a history to match – is quite another. The challenge for Landcom is to ensure it stays on course in maintaining that vital
balance between the environmental, economic and social needs of this unfinished Sydney masterpiece.
PRINCE HENRY
PRINCE HENRY
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