Installation of new barriers along Lawrence Hargrave Drive means improved safety for this stretch of road between the Princes Hwy and Lady Wakehurst Drive.
The Labor Government provided $250,000 for the new barriers which include safer, shock absorbing end treatments. According to the Member for Heathcote, Paul McLeay, the new barriers will reduce the severity of crashes. The new barriers have also reduced the risk of injury to both drivers and passengers.
The installation of the barriers followed a road safety audit carried out on Lawrence Hargrave Drive and are considered a major win for motorist safety. The works were completed in early July.
New timetable operating for Shire shuttle
The Shire’s free late night transport service has been operating under a brand new timetable, which began on Friday 20 July.
The changes provide a more efficient service to the community and were made in consultation with NSW Police. The Shire Shuttle Service operates on Friday and Saturday nights from 11.15pm to 4am and is co-ordinated by the council, but funded through contributions from local licensed premises.
As well as a new timetable there is a new collection point at Sutherland, which is now the bus interchange on East Parade instead of Flora St. The change of collection point at Sutherland was to help reduce congestion in the CBD late at night.
While the new timetable is about improving services, it is also designed to improve passenger safety, the local community, and reducing risks of anti-social behaviour. One thing police and council did not want is for late night drinkers to use the shuttle service as a means of late night transport to get to places like AKA, one of only two licensed premises with a 5am liquor license.
The Shire Shuttle service operates as a way of transporting people safely away from licensed premises dropping them off closer to home. Details of the new collection point at Sutherland, and the new timetable, can be found at licensed venues and on the council’s website, www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au
Northies, Cronulla RSL, Fusion, The Sting Bar, The Caringbah, Taren Point Hotel, Kareela Golf Club, The Vinyl Room, AKA, Engadine RSL and Club Menai support the Shire Shuttle. New water wheelchairs for Sutherland Leisure Centre
The purchase of two new water wheelchairs is making it easier for those with a disability or recovering from an accident or injury to use the pool facilities at Sutherland Leisure Centre.
The custom made chairs are self-propelled with a carrying weight of 120kgs. Patrons can use the chairs free of charge, with lifeguards on duty and available to help pool users requiring assistance.
Located on the pool deck and easily accessible, the chairs are a great addition to the centre in the already wheelchair friendly Sutherland Leisure Centre. Facilities for patrons with disabilities or additional assistance needs include disabled facilities and ramp access to all pools and a mobility hoist to assist pool entry.
Sutherland Leisure Centre is located at Rawson Ave Sutherland and is open all year round, with the exception of Christmas Day and Good Friday. The Centre boasts a 50-metre heated indoor pool, an international size water polo pool and a multifunctional family fun and recreation area incorporating a 50-metre and 25-metre indoor pool, spa and steam room.
For more information about Sutherland Leisure Centre or the water wheelchairs, phone 9545 2400.
The Shire’s working holidays are offering a true Australian experience for backpackers
International backpacker numbers visiting Australia are booming and the Sutherland Shire is attracting its fair share.
According to Cronulla YHA manager, Michael Keogh, the Sutherland Shire offers travellers a real Australian experience that more traditional backpacker haunts, like Bondi and Coogee, don’t.
Mr Keogh said that with Australia offering working holiday schemes to many countries, in the slower winter months he really promotes the work option. He believes his efforts to provide work for backpackers staying at his hostel has encouraged more working holidaymakers to come to the Shire.
They use the hostel as a base and work here for two or three months, save up and spend it all the way to Cairns, then come back and work again, he said. Many visitors work in cafes, bars or as labourers.
The majority of the backpackers staying in Cronulla are from Britain and Mr Keogh suggests that the reason the Shire is becoming more popular is the “more Australian experience” they will have. He uses Northies as an example where backpackers can mix with locals, whereas places like the Coogee Bay Hotel is generally full of their fellow countrymen. | 
