I am very worried about the tactics being used by Rik Hart (Central Coast Council Administrator) in relation to Austin Butler Reserve – he is trying to sweeten-up residents with a 10 year plan to green the Peninsula.
Rik Hart might not be here after the next council election in September and this could be just another broken promise on behalf of Council.
He has already sold $62M worth of community land and we have had nothing from the proceeds go toward greening or shading of the Peninsula.
How can we trust him with the money from this sale as well?
The trees in Austin Butler Reserve are irreplaceable and are the first steps in the process of greening the Peninsula.
With the heat island effect it is imperative we keep our old mature trees.
These trees are homes and feed for our local wildlife – someone must stand-up for their rights as well.
Council can use the proceeds of community land sold already to green the Peninsula if this is part of their plan, without breaking a promise to Austin Butler to keep this land in the hands of the community.
Council is not giving us anything concrete but do want to take away community owned land that was gifted to us by Austin Butler.
We must stand up to protect this reserve which is used by children and the elderly for recreation and mental health.
We would like the Council to spend money on the reserve and make it more user friendly. Kindly replace the seats in Austin Butler that used to be there. Many families would like to picnic there if the amenities were available.
We have more than 2,000 residents’ signatures already to stop the sale of Austin Butler Reserve and I hope that you all log on to the poll that Council is doing on yourvoiceourcoast.com and let Council know that we want Option 1 of retaining Austin Butler Reserve in community hands.
It is up to us all to save these mature trees for our children and our grandchildren and their greener future.
Email, Oct 24
Coral Roberts, Woy Woy