It’s official – Labor says “No” to more green open space

Environment

It’s official – Labor says “No” to more green open space

Waverley is one of the most densely populated areas in Australia, and our open green space is therefore precious. Residents are justifying shocked that Labor/Greens councillors refuse to even consider an increase in green space when it becomes available.

Waverley has almost double the number of residents per hectare of open space compared to our neighbouring Councils. Our population continues to grow so we must support the actions in Council’s Open Space and Recreational Strategy for leveraging opportunities to provide new and extended spaces.

LGA Residents per hectare

Waverley 80.16

Randwick 42.46

Woollahra 48.13

The Liberals are the only ones in the past 30 years to acquire open space for the public benefit, including increasing Tamarama Gully in 2011 and a block of Sydney Water land in Niblick Street, North Bondi in 2017. The SydneyWater land at Gilgandra Reserve was also saved from development via a 99-year lease with Council.

Regrettably, the Labor/Greens led Council rejected outright a 2020Liberal motion to investigate land purchase along the Diamond Bay cliff walk already slated for land acquisition. The acquisition would be in the public interest by helping Council protect the stability of the Diamond Bay cliffs, providing an opportunity for a viewing platform linked to the cliff walk, and extending Council’s biodiversity corridor. The cost of purchase could be minimal due to being inaccessible for the current owner, so would be a cost-effective way to increase the amount of land available for residents to use.