The Glade Wahroonga masterplan faces resistance over flood lights, noise, impacts on owl colony

A plan to install new floodlights at a north shore park has sparked an angry response from residents over fears it would leave locals unable to sleep and disrupt a colony of endangered owls.

Resident Lynette Silver is among homeowners opposing the masterplan.

A plan to install new floodlights at a north shore park has sparked an angry response from residents over fears it would leave locals unable to sleep and disrupt a colony of endangered owls.

Ku-ring-gai Council is facing resistance over a contentious masterplan for The Glade at Wahroonga, which includes adding four LED field lighting poles to enable more sport to be staged after dark.

The 25m light pole structures would be positioned around the main sporting oval at the 4.45ha site which is surrounded by homes.

Plans by the council show the lights would be switched for sport competitions as late as 8.30pm on Saturdays, 6pm on Sundays and a maximum of two weekdays as late as 9pm. Sports training activities would also be allowed to use the lights as late as 9.30pm, seven days a week.

Feedback from residents has included concerns the late night use of the park could lead to major disruptions in the area – including the nesting and feeding activity of an endangered population of Powerful Owls known to frequent the area.

The Glade in Wahroonga

Long term resident Lynette Silver said the bright lights and noise from late night sporting events could impact the amenity of the neighbourhood.

“We’ve lived here for more than 40 years and The Glade reserve was created as a playing field, not a sports arena,” she said.

Lynette and Neil Silver have lived in the area for more than 40 years.

“9pm is quite late to have soccer mums and dads and coaches screaming at kids and by the time they pack up their gear and rev their engines up it will be closer to 10pm.

“It’s the thin edge of the wedge because what’s to stop the council increasing the hours in the future?”

A council report states the lights would allow more use of the field by sports groups and other recreational users.

“There is a greater demand for floodlighting of facilities so that people can participate at times that are convenient to them or to reduce exposure to the sun,” the report states.

A photo submitted to the council by a resident highlighting concerns about floodlights.

Prouille Soccer Club treasurer Mark Floresta has supported the concept of the masterplan, but said the development should not come at the expense of residents.

treasurer Mark Floresta has supported the concept of the masterplan, but said the development should not come at the expense of residents.

“We need an area to play at night because of the demand for sporting facilities,” he said. “But it’s a fair point that residents would not like to have more traffic in the area because there isn’t enough parking and if you add in night-lights residents will be affected.

“Proper infrastructure needs to be in place to address concerns and it should be managed.”

The council report states LED lighting has been selected as it causes “much less glare and has less impact on the local area”.

The park is known to be frequented by Powerful Owls.

“LED technology will ensure light spill to adjoining residences will be kept to an absolute minimum and mitigate potential adverse effects on neighbouring natural areas,” the report states. “The amount of lighting and hours of operation will be subject to further investigation in relation to carrying capacity of the site and carparking provision.”

Other objections by residents have included degradation of grass due to increased use, concerns over “property prices” for nearby homes, and the sound of “noisy soccer teams and after school groups”.

“This would be an ecological disaster and have a devastating impact on the Powerful Owls and other birds, bats, owls and possums in the Glade Reserve in Wahroonga next to the sports field,” one submission states.

“Residents living in a residential area have a right to peace and quiet after the working day, without the annoyance and inconvenience raucous barracking, noisy cars and clogged streets, making it impossible for them to enjoy the amenity of their properties,” another submission states.

The masterplan for The Glade also includes upgraded amenities, new pedestrian paths, cricket practice nets and landscaping works.

Ku-ring-gai councillors are due to consider adopting the masterplan at a meeting later this month.