Gully Fill Gets Council Nod

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday April 27, 2005

By FRANCES THOMPSON

A NEWCASTLE City Council plan to fill a gully in King Edward Park, alleged to be a way of getting rid of fill from the excavation of cliffs near the Bogey Hole and South Newcastle Beach, has been approved.

Councillor Keith Parsons told the council last night the plan was "philistine" and "crude vandalism".

The council was considering its own development application to fill the eastern section of a gully on the northern side of King Edward Park, in Ordnance Street.

The park is Crown Land and the council is trustee.

It is listed by the National Trust and in the council's local environmental plan but is not listed by the NSW Heritage Office, the council was told.

Cr Parsons asked for a deferment on approval of the development application until the Heritage Office had a chance to comment, but councillors Paul Scobie and Barry Scully urged the council to approve the application without further delay.

The Parks and Playgrounds Movement said the plan changed the quality of park landscape.

The council wants to form a drainage swale and a pond, then open it to the public.

Acting general manager Brent Knowles said the application complied with the park's plan of management.

Lord Mayor John Tate said the council did not need any more information, and the council voted eight-to-four for approval.

© 2005 Newcastle Herald

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