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Govt rebuffed on Graythwaite Estate: Greens win Upper House vote to save historic site
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Commenting on the passing in the Upper House of the Save the Graythwaite Estate Bill Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the NSW government should now move to stop the sale of the property and protect it as a public asset.
The Greens bill, passed by 23 votes to 18, is now due to be debated in the Lower House.
"This legislation if passed by the Lower House will reverse the proposed sale of Graythwaite Estate to Shore School and provide the legal protection necessary to keep the historic building and grounds in public hands for future generations," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Tonight's vote was a significant rebuff to the government's sell-off agenda.
"The Save the Graythwaite Estate Bill is based on the Greens' successful 2002 legislation to Save Callan Park. Once again we will make every effort to maintain this glorious estate in public hands where it belongs.
"The Greens moved this bill as the government has a tarnished record on Graythwaite and we need to lock in the legal protection that the community has fought so hard to achieve.
"This bill has strong community backing from the Friends of Graythwaite, North Sydney Council and the CFMEU, which has placed a green ban on the site.
"I introduced the bill to safeguard the future of Graythwaite Estate.
"We fast tracked the legislation through the NSW parliament in orderto stop the NSW government's proposed sell off to the private school Shore for $35.2 million," Ms Rhiannon said.
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