Riverside Christian College eyes Petrie Park for school expansion

A proposal to use an overgrown riverfront park known for “illicit drugs and prostitution” for a private school expansion sparked a lengthy debate between councillors.

A Fraser Coast private school’s plans to expand has sparked quite the debate in a recent council meeting.

Riverside Christian College is eyeing Petrie Park in Royle St, Maryborough, to build a multipurpose sports facility, outdoor chapel, and flexible learning space.

The park reserve is across the road from the college campus and publicly owned.

The motion, that council does not object the conversion of Petrie Park to freehold land to accommodate for the college’s expansion of education facilities, was passed by councillors on Wednesday, September 28, five votes to four.

It was also passed that council was prepared to consent to a closure of the road at the end of Royle St, where the college owns land on both sides of the road.

Riverside Christian College is eyeing off Petrie Park in Royle St, Maryborough, to build a multi-purpose sports facility, outdoor chapel, and flexible learning space. Photo: Google Maps.

Fraser Coast Regional Council Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott, who supported the motion, described the park as “overgrown” and “rocky bushland” that was known for “illicit drugs” and “prostitution”.

He said the current park was not a “family friendly image” that should be across the road from a school.

“I’ve personally been on this site for a couple of Clean Up Australia Day events, to pick up trash left there,” he said.

“Teachers from the college have told me that they found on multiple occasions syringes and used condoms there, not just in the toilet block, but on the tables and on the grounds.

“That’s not acceptable behaviour and certainly not something we want to condone by allowing the park to continue in its current condition.”

Mr Truscott said the college had the means to fund the construction of the infrastructure and added that the proposed sports facility could be used by visitors to the region.

“I think we have a unique opportunity here,” Mr Truscott said.

“Council can’t maintain the river bank... the school has the means and more importantly, the will to do so.”

Riverside Christian College's concept plans for the park. Photo: Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Mayor George Seymour spoke strongly against privatising the park as he believed it would be “contrary to public wishes”.

“We should be trying to get people more access to the river,” he said.

Mr Seymour told councillors only a “tiny fraction” of park land between River Heads and the Gympie Regional Council border was publicly owned and should remain publicly accessible.

“Not all parks should be manicured, not all parks need to be water parks, not all parks need to be playgrounds, we should have wild places that are easily accessible,” Mr Seymour said.

“I’ve been to this park very recently in the past three weeks and walked from the top, down to the river bank and it is a great experience that people should have.”

Mr Seymour noted the park was also habitat for wildlife.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council meeting on Wednesday, September 28, was held at River Heads Community Hall.

Councillor David Lewis also spoke against the motion, highlighting the college’s proposed facilities could be built at another location.

His preference was for the land to stay in community ownership.

Councillor Denis Chapman spoke in support of the proposal, which he described as “common sense”.

“This school is prepared to put money into our community,” Mr Chapman said.

“I’m sure the school will help the community by letting them use these facilities and I’ve got no hesitations here that this is something that we’ve really got to look at for Maryborough.”

According to the report before council, the college had expressed a desire to purchase the reserve, but councillors raised concerns about its environmental value.

Following the decision the process for Riverside Christian College to take over the land will be handed to the state government and is understood to involve public consultation.

Mr Truscott, Mr Chapman, Cr Darren Everard, Cr Phil Truscott and Cr Daniel Sanderson voted in favour while Mr Seymour, Mr Lewis, Cr Zane O’Keefe and Cr James Hansen were against it.

Originally published as Riverside Christian College eyes Petrie Park for school expansion