City’s parklands plan labelled “ineffective” and “dubious”

The City of Sydney Council is proceeding with its current Master Plan to develop the Johnstons Creek Parklands in Annandale despite growing residential anger over an alleged lack of green space.

The City’s Master Plan is at odds with the original Leichhardt Council Master Plan and a unanimous City of Sydney vote, both of which endorsed the zoning of the of the parklands as “green open space”.

Former Leichhardt Mayor Maire Sheehan said it was unclear how much local residents’ views had been heard about the contravention of previous plans.

“The people of Annandale are not residents of the City of Sydney, they are residents of another council area

– Leichhardt. It will be interesting to see how much weight their views will have,” she said.

The City’s Master Plan contravenes the original plan by setting certain sections of the parklands for development, including the use of 5-7 The Crescent as a section of “flexible community space” that could become a childcare facility.

Helen Matthews, a co-coordinator of the original 1994 Bicentennial Master Plan adopted by Leichhardt Council, said the potential loss of social amenity was being driven by ecological principles with little regard for humanitarian ones.

“The amount of digging they have to do to create ineffective dubious wetlands is concerning. People want to have picnics using the space

– this is space that was made into a park in 1995,” she said.

“The buildings on The Crescent must be demolished; these contaminated buildings are not fit for human habitation. The Leichhardt Council-adopted master plan of 1994 clearly confirms the intent to demolish and complete the park.

“The least the City of Sydney can do is respect their inheritance and respect the inheritance they should create for future generations.”

According to the City’s Master Plan there will be a multiple changes to the existing parklands. The relocation of parking to the edge of The Cresecent in Annandale forms a link with the existing recreation area. Additionally, the plan identifies that remediation at The Hill will turn it into an important habitat area.

A spokesperson for the City of Sydney Council said the Plan ensured the use of land would meet the changing needs of the community.

“Our growing population in the inner city needs significant green open spaces. These spaces provide opportunities for exercise and activity; somewhere to walk the dogs and a haven to take some peaceful time out,” said the spokesperson.

“The green space will extend along the length of The Crescent, and stretch through the old Rozelle tram depot and former Harold Park Paceways sites to Wigram Rd.”