Sample Letters

Dear Mr. Rees

Congratulations on your election as Premier of NSW. As President of the Friends of Currawong Association, I take great heart from your reported admission that on occasions, the administration has let down the people of NSW.

I would suggest that the sale and proposed residential subdivision of Currawong is a very powerful demonstration of this failure.

As you may be aware, Currawong, fronting Pittwater and surrounded by Kur-ring-gai National Park , was originally purchased by the Union movement to provide low cost holidays for working people.

The evidence is overwhelming that Currawong is one of NSW’s historic treasures.

The cottage village contained within Currawong is listed by the National Trust and the original farmhouse is listed by both the National Trust and the Heritage Office of N.S.W.

Both the Heritage Office of N.S.W and the National Trust have called for Currawong’s immediate Heritage protection and conservation.

Kur-ring-gai National Park which contains Currawong is listed on the National Heritage register. 

The National Parks Association has also called for Currawong's immediate heritage protection. The Australian Institute of Architects has also called for its immediate Heritage listing and protection

Essentially, the Friends of Currawong are supported by every major environmental and heritage association in N.S.W, all of whom are demanding that the site be heritage listed and conserved.

Regrettably, Unions NSW recently voted to sell this treasure, although now the NSW Teachers Federation has withdrawn its support and is implacably opposed to the sale of Currawong.

Now, although the entire site of Currawong has been recommended for Heritage Listing, the Minster for Planning is, under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, is currently considering approval for the subdivision of this precious site into 34 private blocks for purchase by the “powerful and privileged”.

I can assure you that very many people and not just those living in the Pittwater area are appalled by the prospect of beautiful unspoilt Currawong becoming a private gated community for the wealthy.

There is also great anger that the State Government at the direction of Michael Costa refused the Lands Departments offer to purchase the site on behalf of the people of NSW for $12 million.

This anger is so widespread and has risen to such a peak that Friends of Currawong will be holding a RAID, a Rally Against Inappropriate Development in Hyde Park at 10 am on Sunday 19 October with a march to Parliament House.

To date we have been contacted by very many community groups from around NSW that wish to participate in our RAID. They are also angered by the NSW Government's changes to planning and heritage laws and failure to reject inappropriate development.

Consequently, we anticipate an extremely large number of very vocal people from around NSW to be marching on Parliament House on Sunday 19 October.

The friends of Currawong would like to invite you as Premier to speak at the rally about the new directions you intend for Planning in N.S.W.

We would therefore welcome an opportunity to discuss with you the response of the new look NSW Labor Government to this groundswell of anger about the future of Currawong and the current NSW Planning and Heritage laws that have effectively disenfranchised local communities.

 

The Friends of Currawong look forward to your response,

With Respect,

Shane Withington.

Co-convener  Friends of Currawong.