Urgent meeting to decide the future of Pasadena site on the northern beaches
An urgent meeting will be scheduled to debate whether or not the Pasadena site, located at Church Point on Sydney’s northern beaches, should be compulsorily acquired.
Manly
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AN URGENT meeting will be scheduled for councillors to debate whether or not the Pasadena site in Church Point should be compulsorily acquired.
A push to scrap plans to acquire the site — which was then intended to be converted into public space and car parking — has picked up steam, with a long-planned refurb of the site nearing completion.
Councillors Rory Amon and Alex McTaggert have called for an urgent extraordinary meeting to hash out the issue. It is scheduled for Wednesday.
“This matter is urgent as staff recently informed us that offers would be made to acquire the Pasadena,” Cr Amon said in a briefing to his fellow councillors ahead of the meeting.
“I understand an offer was to be made this week, commencing the forcible acquisition process, but do not know if such an offer has been made.
“The forcible acquisition of the Pasadena could leave council significantly out of pocket and presents a huge financial risk.”
Offshore residents have been pushing for the site to be purchased so that parking problems in the area are not exacerbated by an entertainment venue.
West Pittwater Community Association president Michael Weiner said while parking was an issue, another was that Pasadena was on Crown land.
“The issue people are not really focusing on is the extent of Crown land the Pasadena occupies,” he said.
“It should really be returned to the public, there have been a lot of additional calls for public land. That is one of the best pieces of Crown land that has essentially been privatised.”
But some residents in Church Point argue it will bring a much-needed vibrancy to the area. Stephen Todd and his wife Jill are supportive of the Pasadena opening.
“It is good to see a lot of families around,” Mr Todd said.
“Things were looking a bit dilapidated this time last year and people were a bit pissed off but the facts have now changed. It is a fabulous development and it adds to the local amenity.
“We support it and certainly feel a little bit aggravated that a noisy minority have been trying to hijack the agenda.”
Former council administrator Dick Persson sought to buy the building — by compulsory acquisition if necessary — after receiving a grant from Pittwater state MP Rob Stokes.
Since that time development has started on the site, presumably driving the building’s value upwards.
Cr Amon said: “The forcible acquisition of the Pasadena represents a huge financial risk to council with a great degree of uncertainty.
“I have seen documents which indicate the value of the Pasadena site is the best part $20 million. ”
He said once the acquisition process started the council would not be able to back out.
Mayor Michael Regan said there may be other options than either knocking it down or letting it be privately run but he would not elaborate until he had met with councillors.
“I believe there can be an alternative solution and a win-win for our community and that needs to be discussed among councillors who will make the final decision on this important piece of land,” he said.