MEDIA COVERAGE
Battle rages on old water police site
by MELISSA SHAIN
THE battle lines have been drawn in Pyrmont with residents fighting each other over development proposals at the water police site.
On July 5 about 200 people rallied against the proposed development in favour of open space but other residents have said everyone was consulted.
Some Pyrmont residents said the fight
should end because people knew it was
marked for residental development.
One resident, Elizabeth Elenius said: "We all
bought knowing it wasn’t going
to be a public park".
Port Jackson State Labor MP Sandra Nori said the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority had completed a two-year consultation process on the site.
"Whilst you cannot keep everybody happy, I have had many local residents approach me who have enjoyed being part of the process and having their say over that two year period," she said.
The Elizabeth Macarthur site, better known as the former water police site, was zoned for residential development in 1992.
A state regional environmental plan was put on exhibition in 1995.
The community was invited put forward its comments.
At this time open space was included at points around the Pyrmont peninsula.
Mrs Elenius said she was one of the many residents who enjoyed being part of the consultative process.
"I think it was a great process,” she siad. “It was a response to earlier concerns.
"I don't believe it should be open space. We've got heaps of open space. We've got a park on the point."
Instead, she rallied for the southern end of Pyrmont which she said was "crying out for parkland".
A development application for the site's development will be lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources.
The community can comment on that application.
Friends of Pyrmont Point vowed to fight until the bulldozing begins.
Community divided...residents at the recent protest to keep the land
as open space.
16/07/2003 - Glebe
