City of Newcastle (CN) has voted to endorse a campaign to convert Link Road Forest into a national park.
A Notice of Motion lodged by eight councillors went to vote at the Tuesday 16 December’s extraordinary meeting.
It aimed to endorse the Link Road Forest Campaign and organise meetings with state officials and ministers to request the land be bought back from private owners Eden Estates.
In July, the state government fast-tracked the rezoning of the 574-hectare site to host more than 4,200 homes.
However, several locals emphasised the environmental importance of the land, said to be home to several endangered species, including koalas.
The motion was endorsed by all councillors except Callum Pull and Jenny Barrie.
Campaign spokesperson Helen Smith admitted it was a major step forward.
“It demonstrates this proposal for a new national park along Link Road is not a ‘pie in the sky’ dream by a marginalised group but can be justified on social and economic as well as environmental grounds,” she said.
“We are heartened that the elected councillors have reflected the desires of growing numbers of community members who want this national park to become a reality.”
The site is bounded by Wallsend, Cameron Park, Elermore Vale and Glendale.
In addition to the formal endorsement of the proposed national park, the adopted Notice of Motion had several actions for council to undertake.
The first being, to consult with the Guraki Aboriginal Standing Committee to consider a name for the area.
Council was also requested to establish reports of the potential benefits of a national park and funding opportunities from the significant biodiversity offsets credits arising from the Hunter Transmission Project.
Additionally, they were asked to facilitate a meeting with councillors, the Minister for Planning, the Minister for the Environment, the City of Newcastle planning director ad Link Road Forest Campaign representatives.
“Our supporters are thrilled by the broad support coming from across the various political groupings that make up the council,” Ms Smith said.
“The green lungs of Glenrock and Blackbutt that currently provide much-loved recreational greenspace were won in campaigns by our visionary forebears who understood the importance of these places for urban dwellers.
“In the second half of the century, we will be able to look back with pride on this wonderful asset established by our foresight that will benefit generations not yet born.
“It is now up to the local community to show overwhelming support and convince the NSW Government that the best use for this native forest is for a national park.”
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