History of Cronulla Beach CBD

Cronulla became popular as a holiday and picnic spot in the early 1900s after the inauguration of the Sutherland-Cronulla Steam Tram service in 1911. Cronulla developed rapidly and many of the buildings in Cronulla Street date from the 1930s.

Bicentennial Upgrade

Cronulla central business district was further developed in 1988 and as a result Cronulla Bicentennial Plaza officially opened in February 1989 as part of the celebrations for the 200th Bicentenary of Australia. The main street of Cronulla was closed to traffic and a pedestrian mall was constructed along Cronulla Street from Kingsway down to Purley Place. The south end of Cronulla Street was open to one-way traffic with access from Surf Road or Croydon Street (near the railway station).

Cronulla Central

In 2009, Cronulla Central, a new council facility building opened to the public. The centre is accessible from Cronulla Plaza with its main entrance being at 38-60 Croydon Street. Cronulla Central houses the Cronulla Beach CBD Management office, Cronulla Neighbour Aid, Cronulla Library and other retail outlets. Additions were also made to the Croydon Street car park, with an additional 145 spaces being created and two new top levels.

Clock Tower

The clock tower in Cronulla Plaza was a Bicentennial gift to the people of the Sutherland Shire from Caltex Refinery Co. Pty Ltd. The tower houses the oldest public clock in Australia, built by John Jullion of England in 1770 - the year Captain James Cook landed at Kurnell. The clock's original home was Stanwell Place, near Heathrow in England. It is a turret clock with large time and starter weight mechanisms. The weights require re-winding weekly, which is achieved automatically by electric power.

The clock was fully restored and installed in the tower by Douglas Minty, who has been contracted to maintain it by Sutherland Shire Council. The Lions Club of Australia contributes to the cost of the maintenance.

Peryman Square

Peryman Square is located next to Dunningham Park at North Cronulla. It was named after the honourable North Cronulla lifesaver, Major James Peryman who died in 1950 while rescuing a swimmer in distress, giving his life for another.

The new look Peryman Square was opened in July 1999, and is now a popular destination for visitors to marvel at great views of Solander Point while enjoying award-winning menus at the many restaurants.

Monro Park

Monro Park, established in 1939, was named after Cecil Owen James Monro (known as Joe Monro) in recognition of his immense contribution to the development of the Sutherland Shire. The park was originally the site of Cronulla Public School, opened in 1910 and relocated in 1925. The open space was sometimes used by holiday campers however in 1939 it was decided that the land should be subdivided as the railway line was opened in December that year. Sutherland Shire Council asked that it not be sold but used for public recreation. Due to the excellent work done by Joe Monro in securing the electric railway line to Cronulla, the park was named in his honour. The war memorial, originally situated on the Kingsway near Cronulla Cinema, was relocated to the centre of Monro Park 1939.