Salisbury residents continue to rally against the sale of Neales Green
Protesters are rallying to save another patch of green space in the northern suburbs under threat of development.
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Protesters are rallying to save a patch of green space in Salisbury.
They say the council did not consult widely enough before changing the Neales Green, Margaret Ave classification.
Its community land status was revoked in February.
In making that change, Salisbury Council identified the 9600sq m site as not highly used for sports and recreation and therefore suitable for housing development in the Salisbury Oval precinct master plan.
But Keryn Platt, who has lived in Margaret Ave for 30 years, said losing Neales Green would have an “enormous impact” on the community.
“I see how often this oval is used,” she said.
“It’s used by not only people from the football club but by women footballers, school football teams — they train here.
“We have families that use this recreationally during the week, and it’s a safe area for kids to come and play.”
Ms Platt joined a crowd of 70 on-site protesters early this month.
Their outcry was led by Sandy Holloway, of Salisbury Downs, who assured them the protest movement was not driven by “keyboard warriors or a group of w..kers”.
“We’re all here today because we love our green open spaces,” she said.
Mrs Holloway’s comments came in the wake of remarks from retiring Salisbury councillor Joe Caruso at the October 22 council meeting in which he encouraged fellow councillors not to be put off doing their job by “15 w..kers on Facebook”.
Another Margaret Ave householder, Steven Hine, said he had found the whole process disappointing.
“It’s the almost arrogance of the council in calling us names and not being prepared to listen,” Mr Hine said.
“We found out by mistake when the signs were put on the oval in August last year.
“It’s (Neales Green) such a vital, crucial part of our community.
“This is a cul-de-sac suburb — (development) will increase noise, it will increase traffic, it will take away what is really our only green open area.”
Angry residents are working on a petition to present to the council and are hoping to raise funds for a campaign against the development.
But Salisbury Council chief executive John Harry has rejected the protesters’ claims there was not enough consultation.
Mr Harry said as part of the process for revocation of the land a direct mail-out went to 1937 residents and property owners in the area.
This was followed up by advertisements in papers, notices on the council’s website and signage on relevant land.
“Following the consultation, five responses were received, three of which related to the revocation of Neales Green as housing,” Mr Harry said.
“The City of Salisbury responded to all submissions and advised that the area of Salisbury Oval and Neales Green was identified for medium-density housing to blend into the character of existing suburbs.
“As part of the Salisbury Oval master plan investigations, a detailed analysis of open space provision and demand was undertaken to ensure open space land in and around the Salisbury Oval precinct met recreation and sporting needs for the current and projected future population.”
Mr Harry said that during the overall process, both Salisbury Council and the State Government determined that Neales Green was vested in the council’s control as part of a land division in 1959.
No dedications, restrictions or trusts over the land had been identified or registered on the Certificate of Title for Neales Green or other parts of the precinct that were subject to the community land revocation proposal.
He promised that a further report would soon be presented to the council “providing advice on the Salisbury Oval development and historical information about Neales Green”.
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