Bargara residents fight to save Tiny Tots Park from proposed sale by council

A group of Bargara residents is up in arms over the Bundaberg council’s plans to sell a popular park following a behind-closed-doors decision. DETAILS.

Residents are pleading with council to not sell Tiny Tots Park.

The Bargara Progress Association says there’s growing concerns over the proposed sale of Tiny Tots Park.

The issue, which has sparked significant opposition from some local residents, who fear the park’s sale will lead to the permanent loss of a valued community asset, was the subject of a special meeting at the Bargara Lakes Tavern on Wednesday.

Tiny Tots Park, located on Clarke Street, is currently zoned for Open Space- a term referring to urban or suburban land that is mostly undeveloped and set aside for agricultural, recreational, or conservation purposes.

This zoning ensures the land remains available for community use and green space, rather than being developed for residential or commercial purposes.

However, according to the BPA, residents are worried the sale could lead to the development of the land for purposes not aligned with its current zoning, which is intended to preserve green space for community use.

The Bundaberg Regional Council has moved forward with plans to sell the park as part of a broader strategy to improve its financial position.

The BPA had urged all concerned residents to attend the meeting at the Bargara Lakes Tavern, where the issue was discussed in detail.

With the council scheduled to meet on Friday to make a decision about the park’s future, residents were encouraged to act quickly, as the planned “consultation” event on Saturday may be too late to influence the outcome.

On social media, Karen Tulk, commented on the growing opposition to the sale, noting that many in the community were against it, especially given the lack of prior consultation.
She suggested holding a protest at the park and inviting the media to raise awareness of the issue.

Diana Brown, another community member, posted her concerns about the sale on social media.
“Council is then selling land that is not high in value and has no guarantee of being able to be developed unless Council circumvents the relevant planning laws.”

She further warned that the council could expose itself and ratepayers to future court challenges if the sale went ahead, potentially leading to liability and additional costs and questioned whether the council was planning to “rubber stamp” the sale without proper consultation or due process.

Bargara Councillor Larine Stratham-Blair confirmed she’d raised the issue with Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn and the CEO.

“The matter is being brought back before the councillors for further consideration,” Ms Stratham-Blair said.

She also said that she would be hosting a mobile office at Tiny Tots Park on Saturday, November 9, from 9am to 10am, to discuss the proposed sale’s outcome with residents following the council’s closed meeting on Friday.

The Bundaberg Ratepayers Association has also weighed in on the issue, expressing their dismay at the sale of community assets like Tiny Tots Park.

“Council is selling off parcels of land and various buildings to help return to a positive financial position,” the association said.

“Assets such as Waterloo Hall and St George Hall, and lots on Clarke Street Bargara including Tiny Tots Park, were all decided at this week’s council meeting with no consultation or prior warning.”

Larine Statham-Blair to run for Division 5 will be discussing the outcome with community members on Saturday. Image credit: Paul Beutel.

The BRPA said these were community assets that local residents have worked hard to maintain and that, once sold, they would never return to the hands of the community.

The association also called for greater transparency regarding the council’s financial position, saying, “As ratepayers, we have the right to know exactly how much money the council needs to bring their cash reserves to an acceptable level to continue to operate and keep our rates increases at an affordable level.”

They concluded with a warning about future cuts: “Aside from these assets, what is next on the chopping block?”

The issue remains unresolved as the Bundaberg Regional Council moves ahead with its plan to sell 25 lots by tender, a decision endorsed during the council’s Ordinary Meeting on October 29.