O’Farrell firm on Callan Park

Opposition leader Barry O’Farrell used Saturday’s (7.11.09) public meeting on the future of Callan  Park to announce the Coalition’s policy heading into the next state election. His spokesman Rob Stokes MLA conveyed the policy to the meeting:

The NSW Liberals & Nationals have long supported the protection of Callan Park as one of the most unique sites in Sydney.
 
Together with the community, we have consistently fought Labor’s regular attempts to either sell or develop the site.
 
We condemn State Labor’s dereliction of Callan Park through years of neglect and we condemn State Labor’s current attempts to shift the costs of its own negligence on to the local community. 
 
We will uphold the Callan Park Act and ensure that the whole of Callan Park remains in public ownership and subject to public control.
 
In line with this, the NSW Liberals & Nationals support the following 5 Point Plan for Callan Park’s future:
 
1. management of Callan Park on behalf of the community by Leichhardt Council under a long term lease arrangement;
 
2. development of an appropriately funded, inclusive and holistic Master Plan for the whole of the Callan Park site, including strong community consultation;
 
3. inclusion in the Master Plan of community-based mental health services and facilities at Callan Park;
 
4. inclusion in the Master Plan of uses that enhance Callan Park’s community and social capital, such as educational, cultural, artistic and recreational uses, and;
 
5. collaboration and dialogue between State Government and Leichhardt Council to comprehensively audit, identify and address Callan Park’s cultural heritage needs.

At the rally Sue Steedman from ‘Our Place’ also spoke in support of Callan Park.  A copy of Sue’s speech can be downloaded below.

Sue Steedman rally speech November 09 (PDF 96k)