Scott furious at broken promises

Labor Councillor Linda Scott has taken aim at Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the City of Sydney for failing to follow through on pledges to build new sporting facilities in Alexandria.

In 2005, Council adopted the Acquatics and Leisure Facility Strategy, resolving to build an acquatic facility on Council-owned land in Alexandria and construct a new sporting facility at Perry Park in Alexandria.

Ms Scott is disappointed the City has reduced funding for the Perry Park facility from $30 million to $10 million, which Basketball Australia hopes will be used to build four new indoor basketball courts.

“The broken promises of the Lord Mayor do not just reflect badly on her – they reflect badly on us all,” said Ms Scott.

“When breaking these promises, the Lord Mayor contributes to the undermining of faith in public institutions and causes frustration for citizens who want to contribute to the social fabric of their community by becoming involved in a sporting group.

“We cannot, as a Council, continue to pass resolutions and make commitments to fund infrastructure and then not deliver upon those commitments.”

The original plan for the southern area of the LGA was adopted due to “future significant population growth with the Redfern–Waterloo Authority and Green Square urban renewal projects”. The area was viewed in 2005 as deficient in aquatic and recreational facilities.

A spokesperson for the City of Sydney said the cost of adhering to the original Perry Park development plan would have been too expensive.

“Detailed design work and other investigations revealed the overall cost would be well in excess of $40 million and the City was forced to reconsider the plans because of the costs and risks involved,” said the spokesperson.

“Funding the original plans for the Perry Park development was made more difficult because of the pressure on the City from an extra $40 million contribution the State Government has sought for its light rail project and $60 million the City has needed to secure transport corridor land for Green Square.”

Ms Scott questioned why there is still no Council pool south of Cleveland St. But the City of Sydney has allocated $60 million for the Green Square aquatic and recreation centre.

“The new facility will be built as part of the City’s $440 million budget for constructing new infrastructure and facilities at Green Square including a new town centre, new streets, parks and open space, affordable housing, community facilities, a new childcare centre, public art and a stunning underground library,” said the Council spokesperson.

Living Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas said the funding change was another example Council had again broken a previous pledge.

“It begs the quesion: how can community trust promises and procedures when they do not uphold their resolutions?” she said.

“This is not the first time Council has reneged on a promise, either by Lord Mayoral minute or Council resolution. This is an obvious pattern of behaviour that calls into question transparency and accountability.”