Currawong Saved

08 April 2011

CURRAWONG has been bought by the State Government and will be incorporated into a new state park. The deal was finalised on 08 April 2011

Friends of Currawong owe a great deal of thanks to everyone who has supported the long fight to secure this significant piece of the NSW coast for the enjoyment of everyone and future generations.

shane

Thanks to all our friends and supporters over many years. A personal letter from Shane Withington, President of the Friends of Currawong. Go to Shane's letter here

 

council

CURRAWONG SALE FINALISED

Friday 8th April 2011

Pittwater Council today announced that the sale of Currawong to the NSW Government had been finalised today, Friday 8 April.

With the finalisation of the sale, an historic agreement between the Council and the government to create a new state park is confirmed.

Mayor Harvey Rose said that six months of bipartisan negotiations between the government and the Council will result in Currawong and other key reserves forming Pittwater State Park.

Mayor Rose hailed the sale of Currawong as ‘a great day for the people of Pittwater and New South Wales.’

Mackerel Beach Reserve which adjoins Currawong, Pittwater Park at Palm Beach and its ferry wharf, Governor Phillip Park at Palm Beach, Barrenjoey Beach, North Palm Beach and McKay Reserve will also become part of the Pittwater State Park.

As part of the agreement, the state government will take control of three Council-owned sites. Mackerel Beach and McKay Reserves will form part of the new Pittwater State Park. A third site at 69A Beaconsfield Street Newport, currently jointly owned by the NSW Government and the Council, will become Crown land.

Mayor Rose paid tribute to NSW Crown Lands for its efforts in concluding the sale. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Friends of Currawong and local member Rob Stokes MP.

“They have consistently kept Currawong in the public eye and led the fight tirelessly against over-development of the site,” he said.

The operation of Pittwater State Park will follow that of similar state parks owned by the Crown across New South Wales through Crown Lands.

Mayor Rose said that the existing conference centre at Currawong, known as the Tuta building, could provide the opportunity for environmental and other types of education at the site.

The Mayor said it would be likely that Pittwater Council will have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the site, while the NSW Government would be the land owner.

The operations of Pittwater State Park will be overseen by a board of trustees, comprising NSW Government and Pittwater Council representatives, representatives from the community and an independent chair.

Mayor Rose said that any future use of Currawong will be determined in close consultation with the community.