Austin Butler oval sale offers no quick fix
I wish to express my confusion and concern as to why, at the next council meeting, there is a proposal to sell off part of Austin Butler Oval: Item 2.1 Council's Asset Sales Program (Tranche 3) - Outcome of CommunityConsultation.
In the same meeting, there is a proposal to adopt the Greener Spaces Strategy (Item 2.3 Adoption of the Greener Places Strategy), which has two pilot projects to plant trees in the very same Austin Butler Oval.
While it is wonderful to see the Greener Spaces Strategy finally up for adoption, and pilot projects to green spaces and reduce the heat sink effect, surely it is a contradiction to have a pilot project in the same park where there are stately melaleucas and swamp mahoganies, which will be removed for development.
Surely it would be prudent to retain the trees in the park as these melaleucas and swamp mahoganies already provide shade for those walking through the park as well as shade for those wanting to "take shelter" during our hot months while watching a game.These magnificent endemic trees offer a natural green buffer in a very well used and traversed area, while creating a suitable natural green zone between the car park and the oval.
Additionally, the trees provide an excellent food source for the grey-headed flying foxes and other native flying creatures.
While I am well aware of the council's desire to dispose of assets, this "slicing off" of a nicely-treed public space offers no "quick fix" for the council's desire for cash which was the clearly-stated intention of the land sales strategy.
I note the proposal is listed to proceed with a Deed of Option to Purchase Agreement.
This deed will offer no quick fix, nor any guarantees of rezoning or guaranteed sale.
This sell off and possible waste of council's time and money needs to be reconsidered.
SOURCE:
Email, 23 Jul 2021
Joy Cooper. Green Point