THE Raymond Terrace Tidy Towns committee has launched a campaign against planned residential development in Boomerang Park which could make the council $1.75 million.
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Port Stephens Council released a masterplan for Boomerang Park in June, with details of a $4 million makeover for what was identified as an under-used community resource.
The plans included a skate park, boardwalk, croquet courts, a multi-purpose event space, picnic shelters, barbecues and community gardens.
The masterplan also included three parcels of land for residential use, which has the Tidy Towns group up in arms.
"Overall we are in agreement with the council's plans," Tidy Towns spokesman Dave Davies said.
"But not the residential development, we think that is a terrible idea."
Mayor Bruce MacKenzie was leading the charge to have the three land parcels reclassified from community to operational.
This would allow development on the sites and give council the opportunity to sell off the lots to fund the park development, with Cr MacKenzie believing they could sell for as much as $1.75 million.
"In summer it is hot and dry and no one uses it," he said.
"I am not wavering in my endeavours to sell those sites, and all of the money, every cent, will be spent on Boomerang Park to make it a place people will want to go."
The Tidy Towns group believes the residential development will take away from the appearance of the park, as well as substantially reduce the green space in Raymond Terrace. They have lodged submissions against the masterplan and have launched a petition which can be signed at Raymond Terrace Library or by phoning 0432 803 793.
The masterplan and public submissions go before council this month.