Greens demand a rescission at combustive meeting

Tensions erupted at the November 27 Leichhardt Council meeting when the Greens attempted to pass a motion to rescind the resolution adding another sporting field to the Callan Park Master Plan.

The rescission was turned down with members of the Liberal and Labor parties – bar Cr Vera Anne Hannaford and a member of Friends of Callan Park – voting against the motion.

Members of the community took turns addressing Council as they sought to dissuade councillors from including a sporting field on the Veteran’s Site.

An emotionally charged power battle erupted amongst councillors, particularly between Mayor Darcy Byrne and the Greens.

Residents were vocal with their disdain of the Mayoral minute motion, with insults thrown back and forth.

When former Greens Councillor Cassi Plate referred to the councillors in office as “transient” compared to the eternal  status of Callan Park, Mr Byrne said: “I’ll call you to order, I am the Chair of this meeting.”

The underlying party tensions were palpable when Mr Byrne refused to extend President of Friends of Callan Park Hall Greenland’s speaking time. The move prompted Cr Rochelle Porteous to ask Mr Byrne: “You have extended everyone else’s time, why can’t Hall Greenland be given the same right?”

Mr Byrne responded by asserting a Council vote as to whether or not Mr Greenland should be given additional speaking time. The vote was four for the time extension, three against.

Ignoring the outcomes of the vote, Mr Byrne announced Mr Greenland would not have his time extended. A heated argument brewed between the attending residents and Mr Byrne, with residents insisting the vote was in Mr Greenland’s favour.

Mr Byrne then called for a second vote, gesturing to the Labor and Liberal parties to follow his lead. They did, bar Vera-Ann Hannaford.

After residents shouted from the gallery Mr Bryne’s decision was unreasonable, Mr Greenland was finally granted an extra minute of speaking time.

Mr Greenland read a compelling speech demanding there be community consultation in regards to the amendment, just as there had been during the entire planning stage of the Master Plan. He asked Mr Byrne: “Why are you afraid of public consultation?”

“The Friends of Callan Park challenge the Council majority to put this Veterans’ field proposal out for public consultation,” Mr Greenland said.

Lilyfield resident Anne Bickford was appalled by the conduct of some of the councillors.

“There was a lot of abuse, especially between the Greens and Labor,” Ms Bickford said. “Their meetings go to 1am because they spend half the time abusing each other. It is irrelevant to local government to the issues of local council they are supposed to be discussing.

“I found it very unpleasant. It is like watching the Federal Government; it’s like watching Tony and Julia.”