Less parkland but more people for West End
02 June, 2008
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The Lord Mayor is calling for 30 storey residential buildings in West End at the same time he is reneging on promised parkland, says local Councillor Helen Abrahams.
“On Tuesday, the Liberal Council will decide not to purchase land designated as parkland in the West End Woolloongabba Local Plan,” said Councillor Abrahams.
297 Montague Road and neighbouring property, 281 Montague Road were to be purchased by Council to increase the area of Davies Park, in order to cater for the then predicted 7,000 new residents to West End.
“The Lord Mayor has broken his promise to West End residents and has shown a complete disregard for good planning practices,” said Councillor Abrahams.
“At the same time the Lord Mayor is calling for building heights to increase from seven to 30 storeys, he is breaking his word to purchase desperately needed parkland for West End residents.
“When the West End Woolloongabba Local Plan was approved, the Lord Mayor told objectors he would deliver the infrastructure required to support the growing local community,” she said.
“When the Hale Street Bridge was approved, the Lord Mayor promised ‘a big fat cheque’ to buy new parkland.
“Now at his first test, the Lord Mayor has failed to deliver on what he promised,” Councillor Abrahams said.
“When it comes to West End, ‘Can-do Campbell’ has become ‘Can’t-do Campbell’.
Councillor Abrahams said it was poor planning to have high rise developments without community areas such as parkland.
“International examples show poor social outcomes if high rise units have no community facilities or integration into the local community – and this is exactly what the Lord Mayor is proposing for West End.
Councillor Abrahams will be coordinating a petition for the purchase of additional parkland and is inviting all local residents to sign the petition. Residents can sign the petition at The Gabba Ward office, at Councillor Abrahams’ mobile office at intersection of Boundary Street/Vulture Street, West End from 8.30 to 10.30 am on Saturday 7th June or online at http://www.helenabrahams.com
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