Added protection for historic sites
A new conservative management plan proposed by Leichardt Council is set to give added protection to the historic sites, buildings and memorials located in Callan Park.
While the master plan ensures the restoration of the site, there remains debate within the community over the amendments made in regards to mental health and the future governance of the park
Member for Balmain and Leichhardt Councillor Jamie Parker stated that the aim of the plan was to “essentially guide the future care and management of Callan Park with an eye on conserving the record of it’s past”.
Callan Park has a rich history within the inner west. It was bought by Sydney businessman John Gordon in 1864 before being turned into a psychiatric hospital by the colonial government in 1885.
The historic sandstone buildings of what was known as the Kirkbridge complex have since been restored with new occupants who provide an example of how an historic site can serve a sympathetic purpose.
One of the main features of the plan that is currently on exhibition to the public is the creation of an 83 bed mental health recovery centre. This has come under fire from the Callan Park Mental Health Alliance who have accused the council of being out of touch with the needs of the mentally ill.
“This is a world class opportunity for the development of mental health” says Dayna Parker of the alliance. “We want affirmative action and independence for these people. This recovery centre reflects an old fashioned way of thinking.”
The alliance have encouraged members of the community to use their submissions to reject the mental health recovery centre in favour of a plan which promotes social enterprise amongst the mentally ill.
Other main features of the updated master plan, which is currently on exhibition to the public include; a new children’s sporting field on Balmain road along with a regional skate park, an expanded community garden, and sustainability measures like water storage and recycling on site.
The council has also indicated that the management of Callan Park may be left to a trust which will be comprised of members of the local community.
This is welcome news to the ‘Friends of Callan Park’ organisation who have campaigned for the restoration of Callan Park since 2003. While they support the majority of the plan, they still harbour doubts over some of the specifics including the make-up of the community trust.
“The devil is in the detail,” Hall Greenwood, executive of the community group, said. “We agree with the mental health aspect and the restoration of the sporting fields but the trust is a worry. Right now it looks as though six or seven of the nine people appointed will be council members. We would prefer to have more people from the community.”
The funding of the master plan is also an issue for the ‘Friends of Callan Park’ with the estimated cost of the proposal totalling 4.9 millon dollars. The Callan park act that was introduced in 2002 prevents funding from any source other than the local, state and federal governments and Greenwood said it should stay that way.
“There is no reason why anyone else other than the governments should be brought in to help raise money,” he said. “We haven’t needed them before, we shouldn’t need them now”
Submissions for the new plans close May 19
By Sean Slatter
