MEDIA RELEASE - 30th June 2004

The Politics of the Park

The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP, announced this week that the City of Sydney will acquire the former Water Police Site at Pyrmont Point. "The City has acted decisively to preserve this vital foreshore space" she said.

"A magnificent triumph for all concerned" said Marcelle Hoff, President of community organisation, Friends of Pyrmont Point. "This wonderfully challenging mission has brought a great number of disparate people together to strive for a common cause. The people deserve this success, they have been able to prove that community efforts can change the decisions and directions of a major Government bureaucracy - and thus change our Harbour foreshore. The co-operation of Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Minister for Planning in facilitating the acquisition of this land is greatly appreciated."

During the year-long campaign the community were backed by the CFMEU who imposed a Green Ban on the site. Other supporters included environmentalist Jack Mundey, Ian Kiernan of Clean-Up-Australia, The National Trust, some independent parliamentarians as well as representatives from the Liberals, Greens and Democrats. The former Lord Mayor of Sydney, Lucy Turnbull, also supported the crusade.

The site is suitable for a range of passive and active recreation uses, together with other community uses. The selection of the appropriate uses may facilitate the provision of a ferry stop. Community consultation will take place prior to the lodgement of a development
application.

Contact: Marcelle Hoff.
President
Friends of Pyrmont Point
PH: (02) 9571 4373
Mob: 0407 270 936
www.pyrmontpoint.net