Alliance for Public Parkland Forums.

Our series of informative online Alliance for Public Parklands Public Forums were postponed earlier this year.

Alliance members are currently engaged in planning how best to engage with communities. Through this website and our email newsletters we aim to keep our supporters up to date with the latest news and future public forums.

First Online Forum.

Is Taking the TRUST out of Sydney’s Public Parklands a Good Idea?

ABOVE: Recording of the Forum, produced by Hugh Hamilton, Director of Photography [Duration 1:54 min]

On Wed 17 February 2021, an alliance of public parklands advocates, community organisations, and supporters held its first online Forum at NSW Parliament House: Is Taking the TRUST out of Sydney’s Public Parklands a Good Idea?

The Forum was organised to air concerns about the new Greater Sydney Parklands agency announced by the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes in July 2020 – the agency created for managing Sydney’s most iconic parks: Centennial Parklands (including Moore Park and Queens Park), Western Sydney Parklands, Parramatta Park, Callan Park and Fernhill Estate.

More than 400 people registered for the event, which was facilitated by researcher, teacher and activist, Professor Jane Hunter.

Speakers:

  • The Hon. Rob Stokes, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

  • Linda Bergin OAM, Long-time advocate for Sydney Harbour’s heritage parklands, Founding President of the Headland Preservation Group

  • Wendy Bacon, investigative journalist, researcher and activist

  • Hall Greenland, President, Friends of Callan Park

  • Jane Grusovin, Statement from Professor Neil Runcie on Centennial & Moore Park

  • Lisa Harrold, Public Officer, The Friends of Fernhill & the Mulgoa Valley

  • Suzette Meade, North Parramatta Residents Action Group

  • Wayne Olling, Blacktown & District Environment Group Inc

  • H.G. Nelson from The Even Greater Sydney Planning Committee

  • Jamie Parker MP, Greens Member for Balmain

  • Lynda Voltz MP, Labor Member for Auburn.

The event was hosted by Marjorie O’Neill MP, Member for Coogee and co-hosted by Save Sydney Coalition, Better Planning Network, Keep Sydney Beautiful, Saving Sydney’s Trees, Total Environment Centre, Better Planning Network, Save Sydney’s Koalas.