Deputation

THE BILLABONG is part of the St Peters River Park and its purpose, as stated in the NPSP Community Land Management Plan (2021) is to, inter alia

1. Provide public open space for the use enjoyment and benefit of the community;
2. Protect and enhance the lifestyle, amenity and sense of place in the city;
3. Protect and enhance the natural environment, including areas of remnant vegetation.

Council’s closure the track at the top of the Billabong prevents not only the wider community from accessing a beautiful part of the Billabong, but also the Friends’ volunteers from accessing the area to continue their important work. They have spent hundreds of hours over the years planting locally native plants and weeding.

The SPRA committee unanimously supports Counsellor Piggott’s motion. While the artwork cost is less than 1% of rate revenue, it is still a very significant $300,000. Your decision not to install the next quadrennial artwork during this term of Council will demonstrate to the community the financial responsibility of Council.

We do not want our Council to be in the same situation as the North Sydney Council, where the ABC recently reported that rates will rise by 87% over the next 2 years, in part due to that Council’s $90m swimming pool redevelopment.

SPRA would like to comment councillors Piggott, Moorhouse, McFarlane & Simms for voting in support of the motion to reduce council debt.