Community backlash halts playground demolition
A community backlash against a council plan to demolish the "Pelican Park" playground at Fishermen's Wharf, Woy Woy, with only 24 hours' notice seems to have temporarily saved the park.
More than 3000 people signed a petition opposing the demolition after Fishermen's Wharf Restaurant was told on that the playground would be demolished the next morning.
The number had grown to 6500 by Friday evening.
A protest was held at the park on Saturday morning.
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch said she had been given an assurance there would be a temporary stay in the demolition, after approaching Central Coast Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart.
Ms Tesch said on Wednesday, June 23: "Mr Hart has advised that the Council has halted tomorrow's plans to demolish the park until its replacement opens in July."
She called on both the Council and the State Government to save the park and "ensure the voice of the people is not lost".
On Friday, she said she had written an "urgent letter" to Premier Ms Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Mr Rob Stokes, requesting that they provide the funding necessary to save Pelican Park.
"Whilst we have a NSW Government-imposed Administration, and no local government democratic representatives, I'm calling on Gladys Berejiklian to step in to ensure our Pelican Park is saved," Ms Tesch said.
"The Berejiklian Government funded $10 million for the Gosford Park and almost $3 million on the Terrigal Boardwalk recently.
"The cost to save this park would be significantly less but would be highly valued by so many in our community."
Ms Tesch said that "in just two days over 6000 people have signed the petition to save our park", with many also signing a hard copy at Ms Tesch's office, Woy Woy Fisherman's Wharf and other surrounding businesses.
Central Coast Council claimed the heritage listed tree is too costly, with the roots causing ongoing maintenance issues, she said.
"If Council says that the park isn't up to Australian safety standards, then we need to get it up to those standards, not just knock the whole thing down."
Ms Tesch says the community had paid their rates and deserve, at the very least, for their much-loved park to remain standing.
"Pelican Park is not just any park.
"It is an iconic destination, where families from across the Coast unite, with ample playing equipment and seating, located next to the water and the lovely pelicans.
"It's one of the many attractions Woy Woy is known for."
"Replacing a park with a smaller one right next to a main road is a huge disservice to the community and feels more like a punishment, not a solution."
"The Berejiklian Government needs to get to the root of the problem to ensure our Pelican Park lives on for the many more memories waiting to be made right there."
Ms Tesch said she was certain that, unlike the "Sydney-based Administrator", local councillors - democratically elected representatives - would understand the importance of this park and fight to save it on behalf of all of us.
"All we need is for the root of the problem to be fixed, to ensure Pelican Park's future is secured, at the very least, until democracy returns to the Coast with a newly-elected council, whenever that may be."
"In the meantime, it is my job and the job of the Berejiklian Government to ensure the community is heard and receive what they deserve."
Ms Tesch urged community members to write to Council and to sign the petition.
She was also asking residents to show their support for the Pelican Park by using the hashtag #SavePelicanPark and posting pictures and drawings of their memories on her Facebook page.
SOURCE:
Social media, 23 Jun 2021
Fishermen's Wharf Restaurant
Media releases, 23-25 Jun 2021
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford