THE proposed sell-off of a section of Boomerang Park for housing came under heavy fire by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon last week during her launch of Port Stephens election candidate Rochelle Flood.
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"This is another example of the hold that developers have over the NSW planning system, not just Port Stephens Council," Senator Rhiannon said.
"Time and again we see communities conned into participating in so-called consultation processes which have little influence.
"Outcomes are usually pre-determined in favour of developers and contrary to the wishes and needs of local community."
Ms Flood said early consultations on a master plan for the Raymond Terrace park were designed to raise expectations about park improvements, without any mention of a sell-off.
"[The] council is now trying to have the community accept residential development on nearly 20 per cent of this open space, dedicated to the public back in 1837 and heritage listed, as the price of the improvements.
"This privatisation of public land would destroy not only the integrity of the overall park, but also irreplaceable koala habitat."
Ms Flood and Senator Rhiannon urged the voters of Port Stephens to see the raid on Boomerang Park as another example of what is wrong with the NSW planning system, as it has operated under Labor and Liberal governments.
