Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, has called on the NSW Government to guarantee WSN’s commitments to the Belrose, Davidson and wider communities before proceeding with the sale of the WSN assets.
Speaking in Parliament, both in a Private Members Statement and on the Bill to authorise the sale of WSN or its assets, Mr O’Dea said, “I have previously called on the NSW Government formally to extend Garigal National Park by including an environmentally valuable 10-hectare area, currently within the boundaries of the WSN site at Belrose.
“Under previous agreements, the WSN-owned land cannot be used for landfill and is preserved in a natural bush state,” Mr. O’Dea said.
“WSN management has endorsed the plan in principal and the National Parks and Wildlife Service Area Manager has indicated acceptance of the offer – but the Government needs to act quickly, before WSN is sold,” he said.
“Relevant processes also include a biobanking application, which will help fund management of the site in the future.
“I have also endorsed the plan to return some of the land owned by WSN at Belrose for community activities, including mountain biking. Unfortunately, there is a lack of purpose-built and available facilities across Sydney for mountain biking.
“The sport has been further frustrated by a reduction in land deemed suitable for mountain biking due to concerns over its impact on the environment, including soil erosion. The rehabilitated Belrose landfill site offers a welcome win-win solution,” Mr O’Dea told Parliament.
“I have been working with the community, including mountain bikers, for some time to return the land to community use for passive recreation. Other possible site activities include horse riding and informal recreation.
“However, the NSW Government must act quickly to guarantee these commitments, given enabling legislation for the sale or part sale of WSN is in the process of becoming law,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
