COLLINGWOOD Park will have its own version of Sydney’s famous Barangaroo if Division 3 candidate Jim Dodrill’s vision for the Bailey Street Reserve is realised.
Mr Dodrill, who lives nearby in the suburb where he has resided for 40 year, said the reserve was “a classic candidate for urban renewal”.
He said there was a shortage of playing fields in the division and there was “a unique opportunity to transform the council-owned Bailey Street Reserve into a multi-use park similar to the Rocks River Park near Oxley or the new Barangaroo in Sydney”.
“This is an ex-industrial site and it has had a very low level of rehabilitation done,” he said.
I think what could easily happen is that from (Six Mile Creek) we could easily put in playing fields, adventure playgrounds and perhaps a zero-depth water park.
“Barangaroo is a fantastic example. I was there recently and you have everybody from groups of young people through to elderly people out walking their dogs.
“It is a terrific place to hold events like New Year’s and we could absolutely do the same here.
“Because this site is fairly level I don’t think it would take an awful amount of money.”
Mr Dodrill said sports such as hockey, rugby or soccer could utilise the playing fields with a track suitable for walking, running and cycling constructed around the reserve.
Mr Dodrill showed the QT the Six Mile Creek lagoon, which is part of the reserve, and said it had great potential.
He said it was a great refuge for a wide variety of birdlife along with turtles, platypus and an assortment of reptiles.
“I would like to see this protected, and it does need a little bit of cleaning up and rehabilitation,” he said.
“There is street access from both ends so we could have a boardwalk that people could walk along or walk their dogs along.”
On the western boundary of the reserve Mr Dodrill said the property was “owned by Cleanaway (formerly Transpacific) and I think they have a wonderful opportunity to be involved too”.
“They have complained about access and people entering their site, and I think Cleanaway can invest some money into at least a first stage of this project,” he said.
Mr Dodrill said another neighbouring property owner was Challenge Employment.
“They train young people, particularly in landscaping, and I think they have a lot to offer as well…at least donating some labour for establishing this,” he said.
Mr Dodrill said the project was achievable and “could be eligible for local, state and federal government funding just like the Orion Lagoon”.
He said community consultation was vital and added the park could be built in stages over several yearly budget periods.
Originally Published On: http://www.qt.com.au/
