Master Plan in hands of the Minister

The formal handover of the Callan Park master plan to the NSW Minister of Planning, Mr Brad Hazzard, took place in Parliament House on Friday 11 November before an enthusiastic gallery of about 40 residents.

The Minister promised that the government would give serious consideration to the plan and work through its provisions with Leichhardt Council.

A feature of the ceremony was the agreement of all the parties that the mental health component of the plan was a high priority. The 83-bed mental health bridging centre was dwelt on in the speeches of the Mayor, Cr Rochelle Porteous, the local MP, Jamie Parker, and FOCP President, Hall Greenland.

The Minister also singled out the issue.

The master plan is the culmination of more than 12 years of campaigning by residents, the Friends of Callan Park and Leichhardt Council.

During that campaign the Coalition parties have been strong supporters and the Friends hope that commitment will continue. A sign that a broad front of support might emerge was the presence of a representative of the Labor Opposition leader, John Robertson. Mr Hazzard also offered an olive branch to Labor’s parliamentary ranks by noting that there were probably some secret supporters of the campaign to save Callan Park and Rozelle Psychiatric Hospital in its ranks in the past.

Further emphasising the continuing parliamentary interest in Callan Park was the presence of Mr Don Harwin, president of the Legislative Council, and Jan Barnham, a Greens member of the upper house.

Needless to say the Friends will keep you posted on further developments on this iconic site.

Hall Greenland
President, Friends of Callan Park

Tom Uren endorses Callan Park Master Plan

Labor legend Tom Uren has confirmed his support for the Callan Park Master Plan and has offered to lead a delegation to see local Federal Labor MPs Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibesek.

Both are Federal Ministers and could be crucial to the restoration of Callan Park.