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People power saves park

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Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News

Hailed as “a win for the people”, deputy premier and local government minister Vickie Chapman has refused the Naracoorte Lucindale Council permission to change the community land status of the Janz St parkland.

Without Ms Chapman’s permission for a change of status, the council cannot sell the parkland.

Last April a 5-4 vote enabled council to seek ministerial permission and sell the park.

Retired senior research scientist Mick Deland – who led a petition against the sale with his son Brian – has praised Ms Chapman, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride and their office staff.

“I really want to thank the community and local businesses for all their support too,” Mr Deland said.

“I couldn’t believe the (April) meeting I attended in the first place where they (councillors) decided to sell the Janz St parkland, and I couldn’t believe (some of the elected members),” Mr Deland said.”

“From the little bit of consultation they did, 100 pc of respondents were against selling it, and (five councillors) just totally ignored that.”

At that meeting, the motion enabling it to be sold was moved by Cr Tom Dennis, seconded by Cr Craig McGuire and carried with a 5-4 vote.

Cr Cameron Grundy called a division.

Crs Julie Earl, Scott McLachlan and Monique Crossling voted in favour with Crs Dennis and McGuire.

Crs Grundy, Damien Ross, Ken Schultz and Trevor Rayner voted against the park being sold.

Cr Derek James was absent.

With more than 100 signatures collected on a petition, on June 17 Mr Deland urgently wrote to Ms Chapman.

His letter included a raft of information – various clippings from The News, a petition signed by more than 100 people, an aerial photo of the park, a planner’s report, a list of public responses, reactions from local businesses, and council’s April 27 minutes.

It also included a council newsletter sent with rate notices to all ratepayers, excluding any mention of privatising parklands.

“This action is not consistent with the state government Councils in Focus objectives or the council’s stated strategic outcomes for a healthy and resilient community …,” Mr Deland wrote.

“It is not consistent with the stated public participation spectrum to inform, consult, involve, collaborate and to empower the public by placing final decision making in the hands of the public.

“It is not consistent with the role of councillors to represent the interests of their electors.”

On July 7, Ms Chapman replied to Mr Deland, explaining her role as minister in relation to the council’s May 17 proposal which “requested my approval for the revocation of the community land status of the subject land”.

“When considering these requests, I confirm whether a council has complied with the statutory requirements under the Act,” Ms Chapman said.

“I also consider the merits of the proposal, taking into consideration all relevant matters.”

Ms Chapman said she was of the view that the council’s proposal had not met the statutory requirements, and she had notified the council on June 25.

However, she told Mr Deland the public consultation process could be undertaken again, and the council could reapply.

“Thank you for taking the time to write to me on this issue,” Ms Chapman said. Mr Deland said he had collected a further 200 signatures against the council’s proposal when he received Ms Chapman’s letter.

“The people have spoken and they have made it very clear they do not want anything sold,” Mr Deland said.

“This has been acknowledged by (Ms Chapman).

“I thank the people who participated and put their name to the petition, and all the businesses who helped.

Mr Deland said it was worth organising a petition and writing to the minister.

He congratulated Kathy Moyle for her recent letter to The News and urged more people to “speak up” for positive results.

Mr Deland hoped the council would properly consult with people in the future about all issues, and act accordingly.

“The way forward is to come up with ideas about what could be placed there at the park,” he said.

“As far as I am concerned it could be low-cost … an adventure area like the Mount Gambier railway yard area.

“If they want to plant trees, they should plant trees suitable for endangered species such as the red-tailed cockies.

Naracoorte Community News 21 July 2021

This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News, 21 July 2021.

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