Keep Moore Park in public hands - Sign the petition
You would think Premier Kristina Keneally had enough scandals and bad news stories to keep her going to the next election. But wonders never cease with the current NSW government. They have a plan to break up Centennial Park and Moore Park and hand the management to the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust.
All Photos kindly supplied by Streetcorner.com.au
The outcome could well be a permanent car park on Moore Park and who knows what else down the track.
Centennial and Moore Park is part of the 400 hectare Sydney Common established by former Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1811. Much of this land has been lost. Nearly 200 years ago former Governor Lachlan Macquarie declared this area public land.
Opposition to the government's plan has been swift and vocal. Representatives from the Greens, Malcolm Turnbull, Clover Moore's team and some prominent Labor elders have rejected this plan.
The voice of opposition was amplified on Saturday with a well-attended rally in Moore Park sending a clear message to the Keneally government to drop the plan that would remove Centennial and Moore Park Trust from responsibility for Moore Park. Photos
Malcolm Turnbull, local federal MP for the seat of Wentworth,
spoke of his opposition to Labor's plans and why Governor Macquarie's
legacy must be protectd.
Greens MP and local resident Lee Rhiannon told the crowd that the combined efforts of the representatives of all sides of politics is a testament to how wrong the decision is.
Lee also revisited the mass campaign of 1972 when Centennial Park was under threat from a proposal of the then Liberal government to concrete over much of the park for a giant sports complex.
Famous author and local identity Patrick White, Green Ban leader Jack Mundey and former federal Labor Minister Tom Uren joined forces in a successful campaign to stop this proposal. The Green Ban imposed on the site was seen as a key tactic in stopping this plan.
John Walker, Chair of the Centennial Parklands Trust, also spoke at the rally. Read his letter to Premier Kristina Keneally.
John sets out the case for why Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust must retain responsibility for the Moore Park parklands. With the Trust this wonderful open space stays in public hands.
The petition - please print off, collect signatures and return
