NSW ministers Anthony Roberts, Stuart Ayres brush Macquarie Ice Rink rescue
NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts and Sports Minister Stuart Ayres have refused to intervene in the fight to save the iconic Macquarie Ice Rink.
Two senior ministers in the Berejiklian Government have refused to intervene in the fight to save the iconic Macquarie Ice Rink.
NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts and Sports Minister Stuart Ayres have skated around questions on whether they would take a stand on behalf on the tens of thousands of people — led by Winter Olympics great Steven Bradbury — pushing to keep the ice rink open.
Mr Roberts, the MP at neighbouring Lane Cove, said it would be a “shame to lose it”.
“As a father of three boys who love the rink, I would encourage AMP Capital to really listen to the community in keeping it, but as Ryde Council has said before, this is entirely a commercial decision for AMP,” he said.
Mr Ayres, meanwhile, did not respond to questions.
As sports minister, he is responsible for the Active Kids program, which encourages children’s sport, fitness and recreation activities — precisely what the ice rink has offered for 40 years.
“Active kids are happy and healthy kids and this program means that every child in the state has the opportunity to be fit and active,” Mr Ayres said in a recent press release.
The sidesteps came after a blistering attack against the government’s development drive by the ice rink’s lawyer, Andrew Robinson.
“Our social assets are being crucified in the higher density areas,” he said.
Ryde Labor Mayor Jerome Laxale said it was time for Premier Gladys Berejiklian to step in to save the ice rink where she skated as a North Ryde schoolgirl.
“The State Government created this planning mess, rezoning areas like Macquarie Park for greater building heights,” he said.
Ryde state Liberal MP Victor Dominello has vowed to “work with AMP and council to save the ice rink”.
* Join the conversation at “Save Macquarie Ice Rink” Facebook page
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