Fairfield City Farm gains parliamentary support

“In opposing the motion, the Labor Government has shown great disdain for the people of western Sydney. The Government stubbornly refuses to acknowledge how important it is that the Fairfield City Farm be retained as an outstanding educational and community resource,” said Sylvia Hale, Greens spokesperson for Western Sydney.

“All along the line, the Mayor of Fairfield and Member for Cabramatta, Nick Lalich, has refused to take the people of Fairfield into his confidence or consult with them about the Farm’s future. The secrecy surrounding the Farm’s future has only served to increase the community’s distrust of the Government’s and Council’s intentions.”

“What were community members supposed to think,”said Adele Hanna from the community group, Save Fairfield City Farm, “when the Council announced the farm would close on 24 December, then refused to answer questions on the farm’s future, and then started to sell off the farm’s animals, we can only conclude the farm is slated to close.”

“We have sent emails and letters to Council, and to members of Parliament, and yet no Government members responded to our calls for consultation and for a commitment to keep the farm open.

“It has only been with the support of the NSW Teachers Federation, Jonothan Coleman from 2WS, ABC TV’s Stateline, other Sydney and local radio stations, local newspapers, and the many thousands of people from across Sydney who have joined our web-based campaign that we have been able to get our campaign to Parliament.

“We thank The Greens, Sylvia Hale and Liberal Charlie Lynn for taking up our concerns in the Parliament.

“We hope the Legislative Assembly’s support for the farm will ensure that children across Sydney will continue to be able to visit the farm and engage in the educational programs developed over the last few years that give our children and appreciation of where our food comes from and of how our environment works. We call upon the Government to recognise the vote of the Legislative Assembly and to intervene to ensure the farm continues and that the jobs of the people who work at the farm are secured.

“Members of the community are ready and willing to contribute their ideas and energy to assist the farm to become more viable and more able to meet the needs of the community,” said Ms Hanna.

Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124