news, local-news, Boomerang Park, Raymond Terrace, Port Stephens, Council, development
A CAMPAIGN calling on Port Stephens Council to stop residential development at Boomerang Park in Raymond Terrace has clicked up a notch. The Boomerang Park Action Group has started a petition calling on councillors to keep the heritage listed park out of developers' hands. Port Stephens Council approved the Boomerang Park masterplan at its November 25 meeting, paving the way for the first step towards a $4 million revamp of the park including rezoning and land sales. Action group chairwoman Jillian Lye said the rezoning will affect the entire Port Stephens area because if Boomerang Park gets the go-ahead it will set a precedent for all parks. "There could be a raid by developers on all supposedly underutilised and neglected council parks," she said. Boomerang Park is heritage listed. It is a major landmark in the centre of town with historical, social, natural and cultural heritage significance. "The view corridor along William Street connecting the river to Boomerang Park is fundamental to the identity of Raymond Terrace and would be desecrated by any residential development." Ms Lye said there has been minimal community consultation for council's plans to rezone 4.5 hectares of Boomerang Park from common land to operational land for residential development. The action group meets fortnightly at 6.30pm at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club and petitions are at Raymond Terrace Historical Society Room, Raymond Terrace Bowling Club, Neighbourhood Centre, YMCA, Food War and Red Eye Cafe.
PARK PROTECTORS: Jemima Lye, 16, Alannah Newell, 17, Helen Brown, Peter Francis, Rodger Lye, John Brown, Jenn Burton, Monica Jut and Jillian Lye at Boomerang Park. Picture: Ellie-Marie Watts
A CAMPAIGN calling on Port Stephens Council to stop residential development at Boomerang Park in Raymond Terrace has clicked up a notch.
The Boomerang Park Action Group has started a petition calling on councillors to keep the heritage listed park out of developers' hands.
Port Stephens Council approved the Boomerang Park masterplan at its November 25 meeting, paving the way for the first step towards a $4 million revamp of the park including rezoning and land sales.
Action group chairwoman Jillian Lye said the rezoning will affect the entire Port Stephens area because if Boomerang Park gets the go-ahead it will set a precedent for all parks.
"There could be a raid by developers on all supposedly underutilised and neglected council parks," she said.
Boomerang Park is heritage listed. It is a major landmark in the centre of town with historical, social, natural and cultural heritage significance.
"The view corridor along William Street connecting the river to Boomerang Park is fundamental to the identity of Raymond Terrace and would be desecrated by any residential development."
Ms Lye said there has been minimal community consultation for council's plans to rezone 4.5 hectares of Boomerang Park from common land to operational land for residential development.
The action group meets fortnightly at 6.30pm at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club and petitions are at Raymond Terrace Historical Society Room, Raymond Terrace Bowling Club, Neighbourhood Centre, YMCA, Food War and Red Eye Cafe.
