Department of Defence fails to get with the spirit of World Parks Day

As countries around the world mark World Parks Day, Australasian Leisure Management has learned that the Department of Defence is denying the community access to Randwick Environmental Park, an area of former Army land which was approved for development and handover to Randwick Council back in 2003.

Sydney Eastern Suburbs commentator Jim Macnamara explains "the park, an area of former Army land, was approved for restoration and transfer to Randwick Council in 2003. However, when new homes were built on adjacent land and sold in 2006 with the promise of living next to an environmental park, the land remained in a debilitated state behind a two-metre high barbed wire and netting fence.

"Work agreed to by the Department of Defence finally commenced in early 2009 and was completed in November 2009. This included construction of drainage works, walkways, viewing platforms, barbecue facilities, a new wooden perimeter fence replacing the former military fence, and planting of grass and shrubs in open areas. During the work, temporary steel construction site fencing was erected around the park to prevent public access."

The reasons for continuing delays in opening the park to the public and removing the steel construction site fencing are complex, with much finger-pointing between the Department of Defence and Randwick Council. Earlier this year, Randwick Council claimed that works undertaken by Defence contractors did not meet the terms of the Deed of Agreement for handover of the land.

Macnamara adds "after this was resolved and a Certificate of Occupancy was issued on 31st May 2010, Defence refused to transfer the land and pay $1.8 million towards maintenance of the park as per the Deed of Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, transfer of the land must occur within 12 months of issue of the Certificate of Occupancy."

Frustrated by the delays, local residents are demanding action from Federal Member, Peter Garrett who is also Minister responsible for environment protection.

However, it appears Minister Garrett has been slow to respond to residents concerns.

Meanwhile, the construction site fence remains and residents claim the park is being over-run by noxious weeds and invasive plant species and feral animals while grass and shrubs planted to rehabilitate the park are dying.

In addition to their environmental concerns about the park, Macnamara highlights that "local residents are also angry that the site fencing (not only) denies them access to their nature strip as well as the park but also creates an 'eyesore' in front of their homes."

17th September 2010 - FREE ENTRY TO WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PARKS ON WORLD PARKS DAY