NEWCASTLE MP Tim Crakanthorp has called on the state government to explain why the former Newcastle Bowling Club site remains fenced off more than a year after a court ruled against a development on the King Edward Park land.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Developer Keith Stronach’s plans for a function centre on the site were scotched by a Land and Environment court ruling in May 2015 in favour of the Friends of King Edward Park, which successfully argued the proposal was not permissible on a crown land site earmarked for public recreation.
Mr Crakanthorp said he had attempted many times to find out why demolition and clearing on the property had stalled and the site not reopened to the public. He also questioned the ongoing closure of the Bogey Hole.
“Crown Lands have been giving us the biggest runaround in the world,” he said. “The King Edward Park fencing has been up for over a year and it is costing taxpayers thousands of dollars.”
The MP said he had been receiving “mixed messages” from government about the park site. Lands Minister Niall Blair had “clearly answered no” to a question on notice from Mr Crakanthorp asking whether there were agreements outstanding between the government and Mr Stronach’s companies that would allow use of the land contrary to the court order. However, a departmental response to a GIPA request by the Friends of King Edward Park group indicated the department was “still in negotiations” with the developer.
“Why the contradictions, the delays, the secrecy? Why haven’t the demolition orders been enforced?” Mr Crakanthorp said.
The land is also subject to an Aboriginal land claim and the GIPA response indicates there are still safety hazards on the site, including an unstable historic masonry wall and an outstanding asbestos clearance certificate.
A Department of Industry – Lands spokesperson said no decision had been made on the future of the site and it was “focused on working with the developer” to remediate it and make it safe.
“A way forward will be determined once negotiations have been completed and the Aboriginal Land Claim has been considered. For public safety reasons the fencing will remain in place.”
Mr Crakanthorp also criticised the minister over the continued closure of the Bogey Hole, which has been fenced off since early this year due to cliff instability.
“If this were a convict-hewn bathing pool in Bronte, Clovelly or Coogee, I imagine this would have been fixed by now,” he said.
The department said remediation works were being reviewed and the Bogey Hole would remain closed until stabilisation was done.
