City of Newcastle orders closure of free community pantry at Hamilton Train Station park

The pantry was set up in Hamilton Train Station park by community members for people to access at all hours. It is stocked regularly, including by grass roots collective Food Not Bombs, which shares food in the park each week. But City of Newcastle and police attended the park on Wednesday, putting up a notice that the "unlicenced" pantry would be removed in two weeks.

Council said it had "repeatedly attempted over many months to engage with the organisation running the pantry to explore alternative locations in Hamilton to support local vulnerable people access food and meals".

"City of Newcastle has a regulatory responsibility to manage the use of public land, ensuring usage is consistent with permitted activities, other uses of the space, neighbouring properties and all relevant legislation," council said in a statement.

"The City is working with the NSW Police as well as state government agencies, and local community welfare providers to connect people with support ahead of the planned removal."

Council said police, rangers and the Department of Community and Justice Assertive Outreach Team will visit the park to "connect community members with alternate support if required prior to the pantry being removed."

City of Newcastle governance director David Clarke said on ABC Radio the decision followed concerns about public safety and antisocial behaviour in the park.

Tom Wickert, who is involved in Food Not Bombs and contributes to the pantry, said the approach "rubbed a lot of people the wrong way". "People were really frustrated and confused as to why council thinks this is the solution to issues they articulated," he said.

A Change.org petition to save the pantry was set up after the notice, with more than 2000 signatures so far.

"A lot of people rely on it," Mr Wickert said. "It is very much used by the community."

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