Protectors of Public Lands 'PPL State Election Strategy 2003'

1     Principles and Legislation

a There has been a failure for over a decade of State Legislation and State Policies, concerning public lands to embody Principles:

i requiring a proper and independent assessment of the significance of public lands and the recording of such an assessment on a public State Register';
ii ensuring that significant public lands are kept in public ownership and control, properly conserved, protected and managed;
iii establishing a proper and genuine process for consulting with the community.

b What is required is a real commitment from Political Parties and Candidates to the above PPL Principles and to the passage of appropriate overarching Legislation protecting significant public land sites, such commitment to include the signing of the PPL State Election Pledge 2003.

2     PPL State Election Pledge 2003

The 'PPL State Election Pledge 2003', as attached, to be sent to the Leaders of all Political Parties and to the Candidates, for signature and return to PPL. ((c/o National Trust of Australia (NSW) GPO Box 518 Sydney, NSW, 2001))

3     The Role of the PPL Executive

a Lobby leaders of major Political Parties and sitting Independents equally on PPL Principles and the need for appropriate Legislation to protect significant public lands.

b Seek a written commitment from such leaders, by a signing of the Pledge on behalf of their Parties.

c Lobby Ministers and Shadow Ministers in key portfolios, namely Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Planning, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Health and Minister for Education.

d Seek a written commitment from Parliamentarians standing at the Election, and other Candidates when announced, by a signing of the Pledge.

e Place appropriate information, including the Pledge, on the PPL web site.

f Prepare a media kit to be used by the executive and member groups.

g Organise a Media Launch of PPL Principles and Legislation, to be supported by member groups, to take place onObservatory Hill at 10:00 am on Sunday 9th March, 2003 in The Rocks.

h Publicise the written commitments made by way of the Pledge and the results of lobbying.

i Liaise with environmental organisations and Councils on election strategies.

4    The Role of Member Groups

a Environmental organisations, as members, to raise the public lands issue in their election strategies.

b Other member groups to adopt strategies and actions relevant to their particular sites and issues, consistent with PPL Principles and the need for appropriate Legislation.

c Community groups as members to seek a written commitment, from Candidates within seats relevant to their site or issues, by the signing of the Pledge, such Pledge or a copy to be sent to the PPL Secretariat. ((c/o National Trust of Australia (NSW) GPO Box 518 Sydney, NSW, 2001))

d Member groups to support PPL Media Launch and use of media kit.

5     Significant Public Land Sites

a Quarantine Station and North Head. The Government must not proceed with proposed lease of the Quarantine Station. A holistic approach to planning for the whole of North Head as an 'environmental sanctuary' should be adopted. (State seat of Manly). Further information: www.manlyquarantine.com and
www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/qsalertjan2003.html

b ADI Site St Marys. The State Government should not be supporting the Commonwealth's sale of any part of this site and immediately repeal REP 30. The whole site should be reserved as a national park and nature reserve. (State seats of Penrith, Mulgoa, Londonderry and Mount Druitt). Further information: www.savetheadisite.bmt.com.au

c Prince Henry Hospital site. This magnificent public site must not be sold out of the public domain. (State seat of Maroubra). Further information Jacqui Goddard (02) 9258 0161

d The Rockdale Wetlands Corridor. The Government should stop the plan to relocate the golf club on to public land and properly protect the Rockdale open space corridor, including its wetlands, in public ownership. (State seat of Rockdale). Further information: Paul Adam (02) 9385 1684

e Gladesville Hospital Site. The Government must not proceed with the sale of any part of this historic site and should protect the Priory's original curtilage. (State seats of Lane Cove and Ryde). Further information Peter Colthorpe 0402 060 183

f Round Corner School site. The Government should not proceed with any sale of the protected Sydney turpentine ironbark forest or the remainder of the site. (State seat of Hawkesbury). Further information Pat Clay (02) 9651 1836

g Callan Park. Callan Park has recently been saved from sale by community action, with the support of Leichhardt Council and PPL. Resultant State Legislation has been gazetted. The Government must proceed to establish a suitable Trust to administer the site. (State seat of Port Jackson). Further information www.callanpark.com

h Hunters Hill High School site. This School and its site has recently been saved from closure and sale through the actions of the School and local communities, supported by Hunters Hill Council and PPL. The Government has now agreed to maintain and upgrade the School. This agreement must be honoured. (State seats of Lane Cove and Ryde). Further information: Kathy Prokhovnik (02) 9817 4242

6     Private Lands of Public Significance

a Currawong. This land, owned by the State Labor Council, on Pittwater adjoining Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is of public significance. Its unique values, including access by the community, need protection. The Government must gazette the Pittwater LEP 1999. (State seat of Pittwater) Further information: www.savecurrawong.org

b Sandon Point. This land was former public land and land zoned mining and industrial. It is a major headland and wetland corridor between the villages of Thirroul and Bulli in the Illawarra. The Government should consider acquiring this land for a regional park. (State seat of Keira). Further information www.sandon-point.org.au/splash.htm

c Ballast Point. This land owned by Caltex is a major headland in Sydney Harbour and of public significance. As a result of community action over a long period, supported by Leichhardt Council and PPL, the State Government has recently agreed to acquire this site. The acquisition needs to be finalised and the site properly protected as public open space, with a limited existing refueling facility. (State seat of Port Jackson) Further information www.yurulbin.com/ballastpoint.

7     Media

a Key people within media at State, City and local level identified.

b Relevant information, verbal and written, distributed.

c Publicity to use, where appropriate the 'Big Ear' 'Bob Carr, are you listening?'

For information about PPL see
www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/ppl.html