The Liberal Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea said he could not believe the hypocrisy of the Iemma Government yesterday when it raised a matter of public importance in State Parliament for sports funding to fight child obesity.
“The motion seemed incongruous at a time when the Government appears to be supporting the redevelopment of the UTS site at Ku-ring-gai which will see valuable sporting facilities replaced with buildings,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Today I have introduced a motion to Parliament calling on the Government to help preserve these and other valuable sporting fields. This week I also delivered a speech and have asked a written question of the Planning Minister seeking preservation of these vital community facilities.
“I fear the almighty developer dollar is speaking before the value of fighting childhood obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles. At present many local sporting teams miss out on playing cricket or soccer every week because of a lack of playing fields.
“To remove the oval at the UTS site would be a backward step as it would remove valuable playing surfaces from the North Shore.
“It does not make sense for the NSW Government to be encouraging young people to take up sport and then deny vital facilities across North Shore Electorates where populations are increasing.
“I call on the Iemma Government to reconsider its approach to the UTS Lindfield development and put the interests of children and the wider community first.”
For further information, please call Jonathan O’Dea on 0418 241 500.
