There has been strong opposition against a bold plan by the Tomaree Museum Association (TMA) to transform Neil Carroll Park at Nelson Bay's Fly Point into a cultural and artistic precinct.
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Last month TMA president Ian Farnsworth revealed a proposal to develop a $20 million multi-use facility that would feature a mix of art, tourism and cultural/heritage hubs surrounding an amphitheatre and overlooking the spectacular Nelson Bay waterfront.
"We have chosen Fly Point as a preferred site because of its beautiful location and known heritage and environmental value, comprising Aboriginal, pioneer settlement, WW2 contribution, marine park and floral gardens," Mr Farnsworth said.
While the ambitious plan has received some support, it has fallen foul of one of the park's major benefactors, the Rotary Club of Nelson Bay, and family members of the late Neil Carroll of whom the park has been named after.
"Our family is registering our opposition to Neil Carroll Park as the location for the TMA's plans for a museum and cultural centre," said grandson Ross Carroll, who is also a member of the TMA.
"My grandfather was a 'greenie' ahead of his time. He worked passionately to ensure that large areas of Nelson Bay did not get sold off for development, but rather retained as parkland.
"While working with people like Len Randall [Shoal Bay Country Club], Ben and Josie Norburn of the Dutchies Beach Motel and his son Danny Carroll, who was the only earth moving contractor in the area for 40-odd years, he had a vision of what the area could become.
"He worked during the 1940s, '50s and '60s to make the park into the showpiece community site it is today and Fly Point was not his only claim to fame. He in fact saved much of the waterfront land from becoming privately developed.
"At one stage he was engaged by the council to build a road along the waterfront of Bagnalls Beach but refused and built the road back from the beach because he felt that the waterfront should be for all people."
Similarly, Rotary club members have voted overwhelmingly to reject the proposal to site the museum on land designated as Neil Carroll Rotary Park.
"While the majority of Rotarians are supportive of the concept of establishing a museum in the Tomaree area, there is strong opposition for it to be sited on the public green space at Fly Point," secretary Don Whatham said.
"I quote from the booklet written by Denise Gaudion published by Port Stephens Historical Society which states: 'The once planned Fly Point sub-division resurfaced in the 1950s, however, local opposition, led by Neil Carroll, a Nelson Bay Rotarian, managed to save the area as parkland. The park was first established as Rotary Park, then in 1963 the council advised that the name of the park would be changed to Neil Carroll Rotary Park in honour of the man who worked so tirelessly to protect the flora and fauna habitat and conserve the area as a special place for the community'."
Mr Whatham said that in the ensuing years much work has been undertaken by Rotary Club members to establish the facility as one of which the community can be very proud.
"Its constant use by local residents and visitors as well as use by community groups for significant events such as Australia Day celebrations and annual Christmas Carols justifies maintaining the park in its original state."
Another Rotarian Warwick Mathieson said it was imperative that the parkland remained in community hands.
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