Save public lands rally at Callan Park

by Peter Mac

Some two and a half thousand people rallied at Callan Park in the Sydney 
suburb of Rozelle last Sunday. in protest against state government 
proposals to sell off or long-term lease large areas of prime government 
land.

The rally was intended to focus primarily on Callan Park and other Sydney 
Harbour sites, However, it soon became evident that participants were 
concerned about a great range of sites, including Sandon Point near 
Wollongong, the Australian Defence Industries (ADI) site at St Marys, the 
Rockdale wetlands and many other sites in and around the city.

Veteran environmental campaigner and former Federal Minister Tom Uren led 
the march from nearby Golden Grove public school through the grounds of the 
Park. Tom and many other speakers spoke movingly of the dangers to these 
public lands, which in most cases are characterised by stunning beauty as 
well as great natural, historical and/or archaeological significance.

Representatives from six different councils also voiced their opposition to 
the proposed land deals.

The Carr Government at this stage has not confirmed its intention to 
proceed with its plans for many of the sites, including the Callan Park and 
North Head Quarantine Station sites

Greens Party member of the Upper House, Lee Rhiannon, told the rally that 
the Greens intends to introduce legislation to declare Callan Park an 
inalienable public recreation area, using similar legislation to that used 
to create Sydney's Centennial Park.

Guardian readers who have not already done so should consider visiting some 
of the sites in question if that is possible.

The Quarantine Station may be visited by contacting the National Parks and 
Wildlife Service (at this stage almost all areas of the site may still be 
visited), while Callan Park is open to the public all day. Go and see them! 
These sites are national treasures, which should be preserved for this and 
future generations.