[Greens-Media] (Hale MLC) Greens support union bans to save Newcastle’s beaches from development

[Colin Hesse]

Media Release

>From Sylvia Hale, Greens MP and Spokesperson for Planning and Local
Government

25 May 2010    - For immediate use     
            
Greens support union bans to save Newcastle’s beaches from
development

NSW Greens MP Sylvia Hale today welcomed moves by Newcastle unions to
consider union green bans on commercial developments proposed for
Newcastle’s public beaches and coastal buildings.

“Its great to see the local union movement in solidarity with the
local community saying hands off our public beaches and parks,” said
Ms Hale, Greens spokesperson for Planning and Local Government.

“ I strongly support this warning from Newcastle unions that they
would consider placing Green bans on the most objectionable developments
in the draft coastal Masterplan.

“The Masterplan proposes at least 15,000 square metres of new
commercial development on Newcastle’s public beaches and coastal
parks, including seven major new purpose-built commercial buildings on
the immediate beachfront and coastal parklands.

“It’s simply unacceptable that so much public open space in
Newcastle is planned to be sacrificed to private interests as the State
Government is trying to do up and down the coast of NSW.

“This is simply the latest example of a State Government that is
hell-bent on trying to turn our public assets into profit-making
ventures, and ruining our most valued community and natural areas in the
process.

“I am pleased that Newcastle’s Greens Councillor Michael Osborne
and other Greens members were able to talk with me today about these
plans which have the potential to change one of the key things that
Novocastrians and visitors love about Newcastle; it’s wonderful
coastline and the uncluttered access everyone has to its beaches and
headlands.

“A move to Gold Coast style development that makes our beaches the
exclusive playground of the very rich should be unacceptable to all who
love our environment and the democratic culture that our public beaches
and open spaces epitomise,” said Ms Hale.
 
Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124