Polo by the Sea: Christison Park, Vaucluse: plans to host event
A clifftop neighbourhood park in Sydney’s eastern suburbs could soon be a spectacular venue for the sport of royalty: polo. But locals fear the thundering hooves and well-heeled clientele the sport attracts would leave their park in a sorry state.
Wentworth Courier
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Galloping horses could soon fill a clifftop eastern suburbs park with plans to convert the green space into a polo field.
The team behind the Polo by the Sea events has issued its intentions for Christison Park in Vaucluse with plans submitted to Woollahra Council.
The proposal for the one-off event on February 20 next year was discussed by the local planning panel last week and was eventually knocked back.
It was unanimously refused because the applicant, Polo Events Australia, did not provide relevant reports on traffic management, acoustics and fire safety.
However, those behind the plan have told the Wentworth Courier they intend to try again for approval.
Polo player Janek Gazecki, who is attempting to organise the 1750 person event together with wife Natalie Decorte, said he was unaware the application had even gone before council and was busily preparing the required documentation.
“There was obviously some delay due to COVID-19, however, we were not aware it was knocked back, so I have made inquiries with council. If it has been knocked back by error, we’ll get it reinstated,” Mr Gazecki said.
“We have an excellent field management and restoration history. We have staged these events on many prime sporting fields for over 15 years (Langley Park Perth, Centennial Park Sydney, Albert Park Melbourne etc…).
“Damage to field is much less than people expect, and has never been a problem. We have an excellent report card in that respect.”
The refusal came after a number of local objections.
Council staff also raised concerns about the impact the horses would have on the green space opposite the heritage listed Macquarie Lighthouse.
Staff said they were particularly alarmed about the occurrence of a “divot stomp” where often tipsy punters are permitted to use their feet to stamp the churned up grass flat again during a break in play.
“Council’s Team Leader – Parks and Open Space has determined that insufficient information has been provided in relation to the following issues,” the council report reads.
“Any protection measures that will be put in place for the existing sports fields, synthetic cricket pitches/wickets and infrastructure, including irrigation, valve boxes and goalpost sleeves.
“Details of expected damage to the sports fields (note reference to ‘divot stomp’ in Event Management Plan) given regular hirers will have expectation of using the fields within a number of weeks after the proposed polo event.”
Mr Gazecki said he hoped the event, which has been wildly successful on the Gold Coast for many years, would enjoy similar popularity in the eastern suburbs.
“Polo by the Sea is part of the Urban Polo circuit which is the largest polo series in the world, and last year we received Government funding, via Austrade, to export the Urban Polo format internationally,” he said.
“Urban Polo is a short format code of traditional polo played on a smaller field with different rules to make the game more exciting for spectators.”
The event, which is also opposed by Save Christison Park Action Group, would run from 11am to 6pm in the park.
It will require a 120 x 55m polo field, marquees, 39 portable toilets, sound equipment for the MC, DJ and live band as well as fencing and signage.
Organisers plan to serve alcohol and food and host a fashions on the field competition.