two blocks in Hampden Park are surplus and expendable

Tonight I attended the Public Hearing re:possible sale of 2 lots in Hampden park and also the Kangaloon Fire Shed. There were about 50 people in attendance. Quite a significant turn out for a small village the size of Robertson.Presentation again echoed other community concerns.Acknowledgement of our forebears who had vision to preserve the land.Anger at Councils arrogance. Concern that Council had empowered a Hampden Park Committee and a consultant, but have ignored all recommendations relating to these two blocks of land. concerns that no money from a land sale would go to Robertson.

Further concerns that in fact 91% of income from the land sales would be spent in Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale. 9% in Bundanoon and none in any of our villages. concerns about the lack of acknowledgement that sport (eg) soccer is increasing " We need more space for young people, not less". There is " also a lack of acknowledgement of volunteer efforts.

Councils claim that land to be sold "presupposes that this is truly the case". IT IS A DONE DEAL! Concerns raised about " the elephant in the room". " The land sales are all about the leisure centre. How will this benefit Robertson or any of the villages"? The concept is not environmentally sound and " ignores greenhouse/global warming problems. Any concept that forces people to travel to a central point is not realistic or environmentally acceptable". A 25 klm trip each way to swim for Robertsom residents is unrealistic.

There was, like Bowral on Tuesday night, only one speaker who supported the sales to fund a lesiure centre. In Bowral it was a representative of the Junior water Polo Team. In Robertson it was Cristine Campbell-Jones. Clr Campbell-Jones wife. A resident of Yerrinbool, but " a teacher at Avoca, who is tired of having to put children into cold water pools" She believes that these two blocks in Hampden Park are surplus and expendable. The sale of public land is after all " for the replacement of one asset for another" whats the problem? This line sounding very much like Clr Nick Campbell-Jones words. I wonder how much she knows about land use and needs in Robertson to be able to make the claim that this land is surplus to our needs? Nick wasn't there only myself and Clr Tuddenham. Hopefully Paul is listening. To date he is supportive of land sales and the leisure centre. I was a little concerned that Mrs Campbell-Jones spoke,particularly echoing Nicks position as all Councillors have been asked not to speak at public meetings. Am I out of order, in holding this concern??

Public objection to sale of Kangaloon shed, pointed out that there is no other community land in Kangaloon. The land was probably donated by adjoining farmer. Council proposes to sell land back to an adjoining neighbour as it is too small for any building etc.

The message is still clear. "Leave our land alone".