Former PM Morrison buys into debate over Cronulla coastal walk

Anger over the state government’s potential axing of a $7 million extension to a popular seacliff walking track in Sydney’s south has spread from local and state politicians to federal parliament.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison, who is the member for Cook, has accused the NSW Labor government of playing “rough politics” over the long-awaited plan to continue the popular Esplanade path around the south Cronulla peninsula, and says Labor would be turning its back on years of planning and consultation if it curtailed the project.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison, the member for Cook, has thrown his support behind a local campaign to stop the potential axing of a proposed extension to a clifftop walking track at Cronulla.Credit: Rhett Wyman

“This was not just an idea, but a great project that was ready to go. All the hard work has been done, and for the community to now be denied at this final hurdle is very disappointing,” Morrison said.

Morrison’s intervention into the debate over the boardwalk – which has long had local bipartisan support – sets the stage for a showdown between Sutherland Shire Council and local politicians, and the Minns government, over the future of the prized waterfront site.

NSW Opposition Leader and Cronulla MP Mark Speakman told residents this month that the state government was poised to scrap part of the plan to extend the Esplanade track from Salmon Haul Reserve to Darook Park on Gunnamatta Bay, creating a full loop for walkers.

The proposed addition to the track passes through Hungry Point Reserve, a heritage-rich parcel of Crown land which Marine Rescue NSW uses as its operational headquarters. It wants to convert the site into a $12 million training complex.

Speakman said any plans to cancel the section of the extension between Hungry Point and Darook Park would give the agency “exclusive access” to much of the site.

Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper said Marine Rescue NSW was concerned the boardwalk could obstruct volunteers’ access to the water and their ability to conduct water safety duties.

Morrison said he wanted the full loop to go ahead “as the community conceived of it”.

“I just don’t buy the tenuous ‘safety and security’ excuses the new lands minister is claiming.

Shire residents and politicians want an extension of the popular Esplanade coastal walk at Cronulla. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

“It’s just rough politics from Labor, who have always been out of step with community priorities in the Shire,” Morrison said.

Former Labor senator Michael Forshaw, who is also an ex-Sutherland Shire councillor, has been lobbying the state government to commit to the project. He said it had never been a partisan issue and cancelling it would be a “breach of trust with the community”.

“I’m outraged. The Labor Party locally is firmly on the side of completing this project. Unfortunately, there are people in the government who have a different view.”

Earlier this month, the six volunteer members of the Hungry Point Reserve Land Manager board, which acquired approval and funding for the project, resigned in protest over its possible axing.

The Hungry Point headland is prized by the community because of its natural beauty, rich Aboriginal heritage, and its past use for fisheries research and as migrant hostel accommodation.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

The trustees said at the time they were disappointed that Marine Rescue NSW initially expressed support for the track, only to oppose its extension once it became the sole tenant of the site.

Morrison said he had long supported the presence of Marine Rescue volunteers, who did “great work keeping our waterways safe for users”, but the reserve should remain largely open to the public.

“When recently Marine Rescue had grand plans to build a training academy at the site, those plans allowed for clifftop walk all the way from the Esplanade to Darook Park; indeed Marine Rescue’s documents for the site suggested minimal operational traffic crossing the pathway [into the water].”

Kamper met Speakman and representatives from Sutherland Shire Council, Marine Rescue NSW, the Hungry Point Reserve Land Manager and Crown Lands to discuss the walkway on Friday.

Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the council had written to the government to request further information about taking over management of the reserve and walkway project.

“That becomes a cost to ratepayers if we maintain that site, so that’s something we’ll have to consider,” he said.

Kamper said future options for the reserve would be considered after the council “makes its intentions clear”.

“Previous requirements that any proposed walkway would need to consider the operational needs of Marine Rescue NSW remain,” he said.

Former board member Byron Hurst said: “We feel confident that with goodwill a compromise may be found to complete the Esplanade loop while at the same time ensuring safe and secure operation of Marine Rescue NSW.”

The full loop would run from Salmon Haul Reserve, through Hungry Point Reserve, to Darook Park at Gunnamatta Bay.

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