Status

On 11 March 2024, Council’s Environment and Planning Committee considered a report presenting a draft Merriman Reserve Master Plan and Plan of Management for exhibition. 

The recommendation of the Environment and Planning Committee was considered by Council on 25 March 2024 who resolved:

1. That Council notify the draft Merriman Reserve Plan of Management and Master Plan to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Industry, as the representative landowner of part of the land under section 39 of the Local Government Act 1993, to obtain owner’s consent prior to public exhibition. 
2. That Council seek written consent from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to adopt the draft Plan of Management, in accordance with section 3.23(6) of the Crown Land Management Act 2016. 
3. That Council delegates authority to the General Manager to make any further amendments to the draft Merriman Reserve Plan of Management and Master Plan to address any points raised by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and make minor modifications to any numerical, typographical, interpretation and formatting errors if required. 
4. That Council endorse the draft Merriman Reserve Plan of Management and Master Plan for public exhibition for a period of no less than 28 days and allow submissions to be received up until 42 days in accordance with section 38 of the Local Government Act 1993. 
5. That Council endorse the proposed changes to the land categorisation and hold a public hearing under section 40A of the Local Government Act 1993. 

In accordance with Council's resolution, the draft Merriman Reserve Plan of Management was forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure on 26 March 2024 seeking consent to exhibit.

Preferred Master Plan Option

On 8 May 2023, Council’s Environment and Planning Committee considered a report on the results of the public exhibition of the Merriman Reserve Master Plan options. The report was subsequently considered by Council at its meeting on 22 May 2023.

Council resolved:

(a) That Council note the submissions received during the consultation for the draft Merriman Reserve Master Plan options.

(b) That Council endorse the preparation of a preferred Merriman Reserve Master Plan option based on the exhibited Option 1.

(c) That all persons who made a submission during the consultation for the draft Merriman Reserve Master Plan options be advised of Council’s decision.

(d) That a further report be considered by Council seeking endorsement to place a preferred draft Merriman Reserve Master Plan and Plan of Management on public exhibition for 28 days.

The preferred draft Merriman Reserve Master Plan will be refined and a further report will be presented to Council in the last quarter of 2023 seeking endorsement to place the preferred draft Master Plan and accompanying draft Plan of Management on public exhibition.

Refer to the Report and Resolution.

Public Exhibition of Master Plan Options

Back in November 2021, we reached out to our community to gain feedback on Merriman Reserve. We wanted to know:

	What you enjoy doing at the Reserve
	What you wanted to see more of
	What you think could be improved
	What your vision is for the future of the Reserve

We've reviewed your feedback and worked with our partnering consultant, Group GSA, to develop two draft Master Plan options for Merriman Reserve. These Master Plan options were considered by Council at its meeting on 22 August 2022. Council resolved to place the two draft Merriman Reserve Master Plan options on public exhibition from 9 November to 9 December 2022.

How can you be involved?

You can let us know:

• Which option you prefer?
• Why?
• Is there anything missing from your preferred option?

Provide your feedback by:

• Completing our online survey or use the links below to submit your feedback online.
• Returning a hard copy submission. Hard copies of the survey can be downloaded from this page and will be available at Georges River Council Civic Centre. When complete, please quote SF22/5301 and return:
  • In person to Georges River Council Civic Centre, MacMahon Street, Hurstville
  • Via email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au (external link)
  • Via post: PO Box 205, Hurstville BC NSW 1481
• Attend a drop-in session at Merriman Reserve (weather permitting)
  Saturday, 3 December 2022
  11am to 1pm
  Register for the drop-in session

Following the public exhibition, the Merriman Reserve Master Plan will be refined and the Draft Plan of Management and Master Plan will be placed on exhibition, during which time the community will have further opportunity to give input into the future of the Reserve. Council will consider this feedback before adopting these plans.

Background

Together with insight and feedback from our community, we are planning for the future of Merriman Reserve, Kyle Bay. We are developing a Plan of Management and Master Plan, which will help inform Council upgrades over the next 10 years. We are seeking your input on how you currently use or access Merriman Reserve to help Council reach inclusive and community-driven decisions on the future vision for the space.

The plan will examine public domain elements such as:

• Access and treatment of the foreshore
• New or improved pedestrian and cycle connections
• Improved open space, tree planting, street furniture and footpaths.

The project will also consider infrastructure elements such as:

• Foreshore edge
• Pedestrian cycle and car movements
• Parking

Aerial shot of Merriman Reserve, Kyle Bay. Source: Group GSA

Do you need assistance reading and accessing this page?

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

• Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
• TTY number: 133 677