Undercliff Reserve in Freshwater has been renamed Irene Crump Reserve to honour the late trailblazing local woman.
Located at the southern end of Freshwater Beach, the reserve includes part of the popular walkway and stairs that form an important pedestrian connection between Freshwater and Queenscliff Beaches.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said Irene Crump was a pioneer of her time having a long association with the area as a prominent environmental advocate and leader for over four decades and as a long-standing Director of Harbord Community Kindergarten.
“Legend has it that in 1970 Irene stopped at nothing to save this precious bit of land from developers by climbing what is understood to have been a large Coral tree and refusing to come down even when contractors were cutting the branches of the tree while she was clinging to it,” Mayor Heins said.
“Mrs Crump wanted to retain public ownership and access to the foreshore reserve by saving it from private development to ensure it could be enjoyed by the community for generations to come. She spent months fighting the proposed development in court until eventually the development was scaled back, and part of the land was retained for community use.
“Irene Crump’s efforts are remarkable and so it is fitting her story lives on, and this space is enjoyed as she intended.”
The name change proposal was made on behalf of the Friends of Freshwater and supported by Mrs Crump’s family.
The decision to rename reserves sits with the Geographical Names Board of NSW (GNB); however, a change can be initiated by Council providing a resolution of Council is sought along with evidence that input has been sought from the community. The name change has been supported by the GNB.
