What's the purpose of this engagement?

    The executive of the Helensburgh Men’s Shed (HMS) approached Council with a request to help find a permanent home for the group. 

    In late 2022 Councillors voted to form a Task Force to investigate seven possible sites within the Helensburgh area. The Task Force included two Councillors, two members of the HMS executive and relevant Council officers.

    Two sites, Gill Park and Patrick McCarthy Hall (Helensburgh West Reserve) have been identified as possible sites for further investigation by the Task Force.

    Council’s role in this process is to provide the community with a way to share their views on the two locations. 

    This engagement is a preliminary step in what would be a long process to finalise the location of the Helensburgh Men’s Shed on either location.

    What options are being considered?

    Option A: Gill Park

    Gill Park is a Council owned site (2,244sqm) in Short Street Helensburgh. It is bounded by residential flats on one side and a single dwelling on the other.  The site is zoned RE1, which means a community building (Men’s Shed) is permissible with consent.

     This location would need to be recategorized to ‘General Community Use’. This is a six -month process which would involve preparing a report to go to a Council meeting, the exhibition of a change to the categorisation and a review of the feedback. Following this, a report would have to be prepared for a future Council meeting where Councillors would consider the recommendations.

    Potential benefits:

    • Good location close to Town
    • Large site
    • Park used extensively particularly by those living in Units/Villas
    • No Floor Space Ratio controls 

     Potential challenges:

    • Large sewer on site may restrict building area and design
    • Site falls from street
    • It is reported that the park is used extensively particularly by those living in Units/Villas close by
    • Once the park is relinquished then less open space available to residents
    • Height limit controls
    • Community possibly not accepting a loss of a park and limitations on site due to operating machinery
    • No geotechnical or contaminated land assessment undertaken.

    Option B: Patrick McCarthy Hall (Helensburgh West Reserve)

    Patrick McCarthy Hall is located on Crown Land at the corner of High, Junction and Parkes Streets Helensburgh.

    There are 2 lots of land at this location.  Lot 808 (611.8sqm) is reserved for a public hall and Lot 809 (2,803.4sqm) is reserved for public recreation.  Both lots are Crown Land. Lot 809 is licensed to Helensburgh and District Historical Society (HDHS).

    This location would require Council to prepare a site-specific Plan of Management. This process takes at least 1-2 years from commencement to permission to be granted, if the Department of Planning & Environment – Crown Lands (DRE-CL) approves it.  

    Potential benefits:

    • Good location on bus route
    • Large site
    • A structure was previously on this site

    Potential challenges:

    • Creek on site
    • No geotechnical or contaminated land assessment undertaken
    • Possible Native Title claim (on all Crown Land)

    Development Applications (DAs) would be required on both sites. There is a 6-month assessment timeframe and if it were on the Gill Park site it would need to go to the Planning Panel.



    How can I find out more about the options?

    You can find out more about the options by looking at the maps of both areas, read these FAQs and/or talk to Council officers at the following events:

    Drop-in information sessions

    Wednesday 9 October at Otford Community Hall - drop in any time between 5.30pm-7pm

    Thursday 17 October at Helensburgh Library - drop in any time between 9.30am - 5pm

    Saturday 26 October at the Helensburgh Lions Country Fair, Charles Harper Park - drop in any time between 9am - 3pm.

    Council officers will also be making a presentation at the Neighbourhood Forum 1 Meeting at 7pm on Wednesday 9 October at the Otford Community Hall.

    How can I provide feedback on the options?

    We want to understand the views of the community. We welcome your thoughts regarding each site. If you haven't already, please register on this site or log in and then you can participate in one of the following:

    • The quickest way to let us know your preference is via the quick poll 
    • If you have additional comments for us to consider, take the survey as well.

    Prefer a printed copy? Visit Helensburgh Library to view printed copies of the draft plans and complete a paper survey. We’ve left reply-paid envelopes with the surveys, so you don’t have to pay for postage.

    If none of those work for you, you can also:

    The last day to provide your feedback is Thursday 31 October 2024.

    Who will pay for the construction of the Helensburgh Men's Shed?

    Council will not be providing funding for the building of a Helensburgh Men's Shed at either location.

    When will a decision be made?

    This is the beginning of an extensive and lengthy process that will require among other things statutory notifications where the community will have further opportunities to provide input for either site.