ABOVE: Last year residents protested to save Casino’s Sunnyside Park from being delisted and used for housing, Photo: Susanna Freymark
Susanna Freymark
Andrew Shaw wants swift action from residents to save Melaleuca Park at Rosewood Ave in Casino.
Last year Richmond Valley Council identified five parks as having low community usage and wanted them re-classified so the land could be sold for new homes, with the proceeds being directed to upgrading other parks in Casino.
Residents living near Sunnyside Park formed a committee and petitioned the council to keep their park.
Patrick Deegan was one of the people fighting to keep Sunnyside. Since then, he has become a Richmond Valley councillor.
“I am not aware of any proposal before council in relation to Melaleuca Park,” Mr Deegan said. “My position before the council election was that I will not support the sale of any park in the Richmond Valley and that position will not change.”
While the council acknowledged community concerns regarding Sunnyside Park and recommended not to proceed with the reclassification process, the remaining four parks: Dan Phelan, Melaleuca, Russell and RSM still await their fate until the council completes its Urban Growth Management Strategy this year.
Mr Shaw and resident Ed Boyd have organised a Save Melaleuca Park residents meeting for Friday, February 11 at 5.30pm at Melaleuca Park.
Mr Shaw wants to save Melaleuca from being delisted as a park.
Ed Boyd who lead the charge to save Sunnyside, urged people to come to the meeting and fight for the small park.
“Concerned citizens in the Rosewood, Tallowood and Cascade Drive area of Casino have banded together in an action to prevent the new council from reclassifying Melaleuca Park,” Mr Boyd said
“A small, informal committee will lead the action, similar to the highly successful action by residents in the Sunnyside Park area.
“It is believed by the group that the State Government is behind the push to sell these parks to obtain free land for community housing.”
Mr Boyd also wants the council to put seating in Sunnyside Park so residents can use the park more.
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