SCG Trust's Moore Park Expansion Plans Thwarted

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally has confirmed that Sydney's Moore Park is to remain under the control of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust (CPMPT).

The NSW Premier's decision was influenced by public protests and the opposition of high profile Sydney opinion formers Malcolm Turnbull, Clover Moore and former NSW Premier Neville Wran.

CPMPT Chair John Walker said he was delighted by the outcome but Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust (SCSGT) Chairman Rodney Cavalier said the battle wasn't over.

Cavalier told the Sydney Morning Herald "we have been trying to achieve that (control of Moore Park) for 11 years and I don't think that will cease."

The SCG Trust has stated it would leave Moore Park in its current condition, but with a drastic reduction in the number of festivals, concerts and "enclosing the park with cyclone wire for weeks on end."

Cavalier stated "for the Centennial Park Trust, Moore Park is out of sight, a revenue-earner for the purposes of the lands inside the iron fence which defines what Centennial Park is.

"Those who extol Moore Park as some sort of urban wonder, obviously have not been there. One area is a gravel pit. It is a gravel pit not because of motorists but because Centennial Park has not spent money restoring the land. The SCG will spend the money."

Speaking at a recent protest meeting, John Walker retorted that the park only hosts one festival a year (Parklife), and the revenue received from events exceeded that from the NSW Government.

Premier Keneally has given both trusts 30 days to devise solutions to traffic, transport and parking problems at Moore Park East.

An optomistic Walker stated that "we're confident that improvements can be achieved without diminishing public use of the lands, if both parties cooperate fully."

Lord Mayor and State Member for Sydney Clover Moore said the introduction of a light rail system would solve the problem, stating âlight rail on an Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade route to the sporting stadia and the University of NSW would move thousands of people and dramatically reduce congestion, and permanently remove car parking from Moore Park."

Mayor Moore said the site had been granted to the city for public use by Governor Macquarie 200 years ago and it was down to one third of its original size.

The Premier said the CPMPT will continue to collect parking revenue on Moore Park east.