A new competition launched recently by the Sutherland Shire Council seeks to generate ideas from the community for the revitalisation of the Cronulla Centre.

According to Sutherland Shire Mayor Steve Simpson, who launched the competition, Cronulla being a vibrant tourism and business centre, it was important for the community to be involved in the process right from the beginning. The Cronulla Centre covers Cronulla Plaza, Peryman Square and surrounding areas of the Cronulla central business district.

Inviting architects, landscape architects, urban planners and urban designers as well as students and residents to get involved in shaping the future of Cronulla, Steve Simpson explains that the ideas generated through the competition will form part of the Council’s long term planning process for the future of the area, and will give them clarity on the community’s vision of Cronulla.

Entries are open across three categories including professional, student and community. Prizes will be awarded for each category including $10,000 as first prize for the winning professional entry, plus an opportunity to provide consultant services in preparing a strategic plan for the Cronulla Centre. The runner-up in the professional category will receive $5,000.

The winning student entry will receive $1,000 plus the offer of a traineeship, which requires the student to prepare the strategic plan for the Cronulla Centre. The second prize winner in the student category will get $500. Community entries will also be eligible for rewards including a $1,000 Cronulla Beach CBD gift card for first prize and a $500 CBD gift card for second place.

All entries will be assessed by an independent judging panel comprised of leading Australian practitioners in landscape architecture, urban design and architecture.

Entries to the competition should be sent in by 2pm on Wednesday 6 August, with all entries placed on exhibition from 21 August to 10 September. The winning entries will be announced on Saturday 13 September and will be displayed for a further two weeks to enable the public to vote for a People’s Choice Award.