Councillor’s final blast for critics of potential development
A RETIRING Salisbury councillor has urged his colleagues not to be put off by “15 wankers on Facebook” during a debate to allow development on Neales Reserve.
A RETIRING Salisbury councillor has urged his colleagues not to be put off doing their jobs by “15 wankers on Facebook”.
Cr Joe Caruso made the inflammatory remark during a debate on Neales Green at the latest council meeting.
Development of the 9600sq m Neales Green site on Margaret Ave, close to Salisbury Oval, was first mooted last year.
At the time, the council said it was considering revoking the site’s community land classification as it was not “heavily utilised” for sport and the redevelopment of the nearby Bridgestone Reserve meant there was adequate open space in the area.
The announcement did not go down well with a small number of contributors to a Salisbury ratepayers’ Facebook forum, who have taken every opportunity they can to criticise councillors who they perceived as in favour of the development.
Two people have promised to chain themselves to trees to save the reserve.
The council said a mail out to almost 2000 homes in the surrounding area prompted three responses to the idea of the revocation of Neales Green.
The main cause of protest was the thought that the land had been gifted to the council, and, as such it should not be used as anything but open space.
But a council document seen by the Northern Messenger said that during the land revocation process, no dedications, restrictions or trusts over the land were identified.
At his final full council meeting before leaving the council after 29 years, Cr Caruso let rip.
He told fellow members to forget about “hard-core keyboard warriors” and remember they were there to make decisions.
“We should not be put off by 15 wankers on Facebook,” Cr Caruso said.
“Our job is to look to the future and see how best we can do something for our community.
“These people, some not even using their real names, they are faceless. They don’t have the information on this site that we have.”
While Cr Caruso’s words left most of his colleagues speechless, he was admonished by Cr Graeme Reynolds, who said Cr Caruso needed to show a bit more respect to the people against the development.
“I have sat down and had coffee with one of them, he is a passionate person on this issue,” Cr Reynolds said.