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Secrecy shrouds Lands Department/Newcastle Council/ Surf clubs MOU
Monday 25 January 2010
The release of a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the NSW Lands Department, Newcastle City Council and Newcastle’s surf clubs comes more than 12 months after the sixth version was drawn up. The secrecy surrounding the document, the lack of involvement of the elected council let alone the public, plus the potential for unwelcome commercial development of Newcastle’s coastal parks and reserves are cause for concern, according to The Greens spokesperson on Lands, Sylvia Hale, MLC.
“The secrecy surrounding the MOU’s development and the wording of the document itself are clear signs that the people of Newcastle should be very wary about what is being hatched by the State government, Council officials, and the surf club industry,” said Ms Hale.
“The document [para 7.4 (d)] refers to ‘A reserve commercial framework and income distribution model’.
“At para 9, it states ‘“In a general sense, each of the Parties shall not undertake communication with the public, media and other stakeholders pertaining to this project without first notifying all the Parties’.
“Clearly, it’s all meant to be a closed shop in which a cosy deal is made to privately develop public land and with most of the proceeds going to State Government and the developer, with the surf clubs gaining a small but headline grabbing amount to make it look good.
“Newcastle’s coastal parks and reserves belong to the public and should not be alienated for private profit without the informed consent of the owners, and they are the people of New South Wales and the people of Newcastle in particular.
“Tony Kelly, the Minister for Lands, has a deplorable record when it comes to privatising public assets. His proposed 52-year lease of a significant portion of Killalea State Park for private residential development caused a storm of protest on the South Coast.
“And, in his Minister for Planning role, he last week announced that he would grant developers 99-year-leases on key Sydney Harbour sites owned by the State government on behalf of the public.
“A secretly devised special Memorandum of Understanding is no substitute for transparent and established planning procedures. Newcastle’s coastal parks and reserves deserve no less,” said Ms Hale.
Further information: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124
Sylvia Hale MLC Ph. 02 9230 3030 Email: 