Retiring Mayor Paul Hawker has nominated “the environment, cultural resources, public art, council’s facilities and open spaces/playgrounds for community uses’’ as areas and issues needing close scrutiny in Campbelltown.
That’s not a bad list and obviously being on the inside Cr Hawker knows what he’s talking about.
But it’s just a pity he wasn’t more specific so we can get a bit of a debate on some of these issues, so we’ll do the job for him with this week’s Top 5 to get the ball rolling.
Number 1: Fisher’s Ghost Festival parade. It’s no secret that some influential people, inside and outside the council, think that the parade has reached the end of the line and the thinning crowds are proof of that. Everyone loves a parade and all that, but not for ever.
Number 2. Many years ago the late John Hennessey suggested a statue of Fisher’s ghost at the entrance to Queen Street, and by jingo, by crikey, why the heck not?
Number 3. Not sure what Cr Hawker meant by public art, but it’s time to review what sort of “art’’ is exhibited at the Campbelltown Arts Centre. That’s the place where the word “contemporary’’ reigns supreme but leaves most people cold.
Number 4. The next review of the Local Environmental Plan should focus on where we are going to be in 50 years’ time not the next five. Let’s have a proper plan about development, where the houses will go and where the jobs will be located in our town. And throw in some eco tourism to bring some tourist dollars to the town. We do have the bushland and river for that.
Number 5. Fix the Wests Tigers situation once and for all: Will they ever become the Macarthur Tigers or will they just pop in for a game or two now and again. The council needs to show leadership on this and all the other major issues. For that we have to think carefully who will vote for on September 10.
