Residents call for less talk and more action over Callan Park
Improving connections between Balmain Rd and the waterfront through a “chain of green open space” was one of the key ideas put forward at a public meeting on the future of Callan Park.
Inner West
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IMPROVING connections between Balmain Rd and the waterfront through a “chain of green open space” was one of the key ideas put forward at a public meeting on the future of Callan Park.
More than 300 people piled into the Balmain Town Hall meeting, organised by Balmain Greens MP Jamie Parker, to hear about the Government’s developing landscape structure plan for the 61ha park and its 176 under-utilised, dilapidated and heritage buildings.
A presentation by Shaun Elwood, a manager with the Office of Environment and Heritage, was designed to “generate discussion”.
Central themes included the potential removal of “intrusive buildings” such as those on the waterfront to create more passive and active recreation space and reducing conflict between cars and Bay Run users.
Other buildings could be used by community, sports and health organisations while an event space and extended bush regeneration areas were also on the cards.
Many residents wanted to see the park cater to the needs of the mentally ill as it did in the past.
Mr Parker said the meeting gave residents the first chance to hear about the plan and provide feedback on preliminary concepts.
“This community has battled for decades to defend Callan Park and I congratulate the dedicated local campaigners who have successfully kept apartments off this site,” Mr Parker said.
“The Landscape Structure Plan will need to balance the community’s desire to preserve and protect the heritage significance of Callan Park while allowing the site to be opened up for public use.
“While this process may be positive, Callan Park needs a fully funded Trust to implement the Master Plan developed by the community in 2011.”
More than 700 people have already filled out Mr Parker’s survey on the park.
Resident John Whitney was not opposed to some commercial uses such as a restaurant, cafes or leasing out the buildings to pay for some of the initiatives, which have no funding or delivery dates.
Mr Whitney pointed out that leasing out Kirkbride to the University of Sydney’s Sydney College of the Arts — which will leave the site in 2020 — had helped stop the complex from “falling down”.
“I like where they’re heading but no one is bringing in the bulldozers; at some point we have to stop this endless planning,” he said.
“They will produce a report and in another five to ten years they will produce another report.
“Callan Park is as good as the Botanic Garden but the trees are diseased and falling down.”
His partner Anny suggested a community farm and children’s playground be delivered at the park.
An OEH spokesman said there are no plans to commercially develop the park, including the construction of apartments.
“The vision for Callan Park is for an open space urban park land for the community while preserving the special character and history of Callan Park,” he said.
The Government will pursue “continued active use” of Kirkbride when the University of Sydney leaves.
“This process will involve seeking the most appropriate tenant/s for the heritage listed buildings to ensure their future viability and retention of heritage values,” he said.
”The NSW Government strongly supports preserving Callan Park as open space and has ruled out residential and commercial development across this unique site.”