‘Don’t sell off our parks’

By Kate Ramien  |  November 17, 2011

Gunnedah residents are gearing up for round two of their battle to
stop a council proposal that could see sections of some of the town’s parks sold off.

Under council’s new Local Environment Plan (LEP), it is proposing to rezone sections of land in three of Gunnedah’s parks as well as the entire Stewart Park, to better utilise space, make way for residential development and to reduce council’s “asset management burden”.

The move follows the release of a council report which found there was a 300 per cent over supply of open space in Gunnedah.

The money made from the sale of land, which could potentially be hundreds of thousands of dollars for up to 14 blocks, would be used to upgrade other parks in the town. It would also cut council maintenance costs.

Rezoning and selling off parkland was a proposal that originally formed part of council’s Open Space Strategy and was put on the backburner last year following a backlash from residents, who are now preparing to fight the plan once again.

Those in Stewart Street, including resident Brian Whittaker, are putting together a submission to save their small park which could be sold entirely under the new LEP if it is adopted.

The last time they protested against council’s plan, they collected 1220 signatures.

“You can never have too much open space, especially for kids,” Mr Whittaker said.

“It would be such a loss. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. You’ll never get the parkland back again.

“We do feel strongly about it. Not only our park, but all parks in general.”

Mr Whittaker said Stewart Park is heavily utilised by families having picnics and by children riding bikes, playing with balls and chipping golf balls.

It is also a haven for birds, and koalas are often spotted in the trees that were planted by locals years ago.

“If this one goes, Ken Greene will be the only park in the area that would service this entire area,” Mr Whittaker said.

In addition to Stewart Park, council’s proposal includes rezoning a 40-metre wide section of Athol Gallen Park, a 30-metre portion of Arthur Heath Park and a section of
Kilcoy Park. Between four and five houses could be built at each park.

Athol Gallen Park was named after the grandfather of brothers, Richard and Guy Gallen and is of special significance to the family.

“It’s just a grab for money to lessen debt,” Richard Gallen said.

“The reasoning they are using is illogical.

“We are not an ageing population and there are many mining families with young children moving into town.”

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Planning and Environmental Services Michael Silver said the rezoning proposal is about asset management costs, and “taking opportunities to obtain funds to improve existing assets”.

“We need to put in infrastructure so they [the parks] become a usable entity,” he said.

“The point that needs to be made is availability of open space and what it is used for. Open space needs to have a use for the community.”

To construct an adequate playground would cost between $20-25,000.

When asked why money can’t be found in council’s budget to upgrade the other parks, Mr Silver said the money is not there and “other programs and services would have to be reduced”.

He also added that he believed there was an adequate number of parks in Gunnedah – many of them under utilised, and that the impact of any rezoning and development would be minimal.

Residents have until November 30 to put forward submissions on the LEP, and subsequently the rezoning of parks.

There will also be a public hearing held early next year where residents can voice their concerns.

The next public information session will be held in Gunnedah on Monday, November 21, at The Civic from 6.30pm.

More information on the LEP can be found at www.infogunnedah.com.au