Gunnedah Shire Council revisited the decision last night, with a rescission motion filed by Councillors Rebecca Ryan and Hans Allgayer.

A number of residents attended the meeting in the public gallery.

Cr Ryan told council she believed it was time to have another look at the situation following a meeting with residents held at Ron Pople Park on October 1.

Cr Ryan said rescinding the original decision made late last year would allow council to revisit options for the reserves in south Gunnedah and elsewhere.

“We are not really looking at detailed alternatives by rescinding this motion,” she said.

Cr Ryan said she hoped councillors could all visit the site to better understand the situation and the “new information” that had come to light.

Cr Allgayer said moves to restrict access to reserves would not be necessary if a small number of people did not set out to do damage.

“A minority in the community are hell-bent on destroying these spots,” he said.

“The damage that has been done to some is quite astounding.

“However, we need to achieve this [restricting access] without impacting on those people who take a responsible attitude. That is a discussion we should have, and regrettably, we have to go back to that decision.”

At the October 1 meeting, at least 20 ratepayers demanded answers from council over plans that would affect Ron Pople Park and Ross Kelly, Miller and Leonavale reserves.

Residents said Ross Kelly Reserve – an easement that runs from Kirpatrick Close to Hinton Drive and along the rear of houses between Smyth Close and Linden Place – was one area where they would be impacted. Residents use the rear access to move boats, caravans, trailers and small machinery.

Work has not yet started, and residents had been advised of the decision through a letter from council.

Council last night voted to overturn the original decision and will look at issues including: rationale for the access control, alternative methods of control to those previously considered; and other areas within the community that may need to be closed as a higher priority to those previously considered given the financial constraints.