Parramatta Lord Mayor excludes activist group from talks due to abuse
The North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group has been slammed as “desperate” and “cruel” after attacks on the mayor over the State Government’s plan for Willow Grove heritage house.
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“Vicious”, “cruel” and “desperate” — Parramatta’s Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson has hit back at the North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group (NPRAG) after receiving abuse on the street and online.
Cr Wilson said the group’s behaviour was the reason he did not attend a recent community rally at Willow Grove which was protesting the State Government’s plans to demolish the building to make way for the Powerhouse Museum.
NPRAG estimated around 175 people at the rally, which included independent councillor Michelle Garrard and Greens councillor Phil Bradley.
Cr Wilson echoed Parramatta Liberal MP Geoff Lee when he said the numbers at the protest seemed “exaggerated”.
“It didn’t look like 175 people to me,” Cr Wilson said.
“It seemed much less, but they will twist the truth for their own gain.”
The exclusion came during the council’s move to oppose any decision on the demolition of the house, where Cr Wilson specifically asked to have the group left from the upcoming meetings.
“They are mean and vicious, they talk down to you and are cruel to you on the street,” Cr Wilson said.
He has also decided to exclude the group from consultation about a protest letter which is to be sent to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The letter is a follow-up to a previous one which councillors deemed “too soft”.
“I remember the White Horse (Hotel), I remember the tennis courts, I remember our heritage that we lost and I feel very strongly about it,” Cr Wilson said. “I’m a heritage nut. I do want to protect Willow Grove and I think I’m a fairly reasonable person but I won’t be yelled or screamed at.”
Cr Wilson said he would be willing to speak with members of NPRAG if they approached the mayoral office and spoke “civilly”.
NPRAG president Aidan Anderson said the group had invited him to speak at the event and publicly thanked him for allowing the gates of Willow Grove to be opened for the protest.
“At the event we thanked the Lord Mayor for opening the gates, passed on his apologies to the crowd for being unable to attend and invited the Deputy Lord Mayor and councillors to speak,” Mr Anderson said.
“Our fight is with the State Government that wants to destroy Australia’s glorious history by hook or by crook as long as there’s a dollar to be made.”