The proposal for a giant $18.75 million “Campbelltown Billabong’’ at Apex Park Bradbury has moved a step closer to reality after councillors voted to support it at a special meeting on Tuesday night.
But not before several councillors expressed their disquiet at the lack of opportunity they were given to discuss the proposal.
Cr Paul Lake, who has previously served two terms as Mayor of Campbelltown, said he had also been disappointed councillors had not been offered several options to choose from.
“It’s a slap in the face for councillors, who have been elected to represent the people of Campbelltown,’’ he said.
“The way this has been done is disrespectful to the councillors.
“And to find out that even the mayor only found out a week ago this would be our nominated project is just not right.
“I really have no problem with the billabong idea, but I would have liked the councillors to have had the opportunity to discuss it a little more,’’ Cr Lake said.
“I also would have liked for the General Manager to have provided us with more than one choice to look at.’’
Councillors Ben Moroney and Warren Morrison said they agreed with Cr Lake.
“I plan to support this proposal, and while I wouldn’t use the same language as Cr Lake, I understand where he’s coming from,’’ Cr Moroney said.
“It would be best that that the way this has been done, the process involved, is something we avoid in the future.’’
Cr Morrison said he loved the idea of a billabong in Apex Park at Bradbury but was also concerned with the process.
“It has come on to us a bit quick,’’ he said.
Several Labor councillors who spoke disagreed with Cr Lake.
Cr Meg Oates, another former mayor, said there had been plenty of meetings to discuss ideas for a project to nominate.
“What people in Campbelltown tell me is ‘stop talking about it and get things done’.
“So let’s get it done – but to say the process has been disrespectful is garbage.
“This is a game changer for our city,’’ Cr Oates said.
A report to council said the Campbelltown billabong at Apex Park Bradbury is “proposed by council staff to be submitted as Campbelltown’s Liveability Program project nomination’’ as part of the City Deal between the three tiers of government’’.
The idea is to build something in each council area that will help support a bigger population in the region.
Each of the eight councils will receive $15 million for their projects and add, in Campbelltown’s case, $3.75 million of their own money.
Mayor George Brticevic told council that the billabong concept was a “terrific’’ project.
“I am confident that we’ll get it approved because it fits all the criteria for the City Deal Liveability Fund,’’ he said.
The report to council said the billabong concept draws inspiration from the Dharawal National Park by creating a series of rock pools along a meandering waterway that ultimately culminates in a billabong or lagoon type recreation facility.
“Elements along the waterway’s path would be designed to bring landscape and cultural heritage values into the Campbelltown CBD cityscape, providing a place for the community to relax, gather, play, swim and make memories.
“The project’s objectives include:
- provide passive and active recreation
- utilise existing infrastructure
- reflect the natural environment
- provide flexible spaces for existing and future uses
- create an iconic gateway precinct
- connect the park visually and physically to its surrounds
- create a safe and secure public space.
- complement the existing Gordon Fetterplace Aquatic Centre and the nearby cultural precinct
- act as an iconic destination feature for Campbelltown.’’
I would have thought that the restoration of the of the historic water hole in Hurley Park would be a better protect as it would have the historical connection and preserve this relic of the early settlement of Campbelltown and only up the street from the historic homes that previous councils had enough foresight to preserve. This would be. Great Bicentennial project
Eric, what do you think of this item. If you wanted some background on it contact Kenny Bellman who has been trying to get something going on this. If you can’t find him in the book he is a The Leagues club most days,.His family are long time residents but his parents have passed