Leichhardt and City on the same crescent
Image: Leichhardt Greens Councillor, Daniel Kogoy / Photo: Leichhardt Library Service
Leichhardt Council is now broadly supportive of the City of Sydney’s Master Plan for Johnstons Creek after a submission was passed at an ordinary meeting on May 28, despite hostility from the public gallery.
Leichhardt Greens Councillor Daniel Kogoy said he is bewildered by Council’s rejection of his alternative submission to the City.
“We thought they would have realised the need for more green open space is even more pressing now with at least 2,500 people set to move in at Harold Park by 2016,” he said.
Council endorsed a report concluding that “the Draft Master Plan addresses a number of strategic open space and community issues which have been identified by both Councils”.
The final motion urged the City to make some amendments to the plan, such as the inclusion of symbolic signage, a community garden and a playground. It also incorporated some Greens suggestions calling for the City to fast track the Crescent Parklands section and introduce noise reduction measures.
But some members of the Annandale and Glebe communities have condemned the Master Plan for failing to contain enough green open space.
“Under our residents’ positive proposal, the needs of the inner city are met, with the Crescent Lands quickly becoming green open space,” said Mr Kogoy.
“The short-to-medium-term needs for sporting and child care facilities are met in Harold Park, which unlike the Crescent, currently has a budget and timeline for completion in 2016.”
The area was slated for open space in the original Leichhardt Council Master Plan, which was endorsed by the City of Sydney following a boundary change in 2003. However, some residents are concerned that the latest draft plan also includes a sporting area, multi-function community centre with childcare facilities and car parking.
Leichhardt Labor Councillor Simon Emsley said Council would be better off prioritising issues within its jurisdiction.
“You can spend a disproportionate amount of time discussing issues that are no longer within the Council’s control, like Johnstons Creek,” he said.
“Council time would be better spent considering issues within the LGA.”
The City of Sydney Council has completed Phase 3 of the consultation for the Johnstons Creek Master Plan and is now making technical and feasibility considerations.
