Council should buy this land

Leo Foley

Lenah Valley Progress Association (LVPA) has expressed its concern at these matters being considered in ‘Closed Council’. No minutes are available. No voting record of Aldermen is available, and nor is the report on which the decision is based. And, to top it off, the whole process is exempt from Freedom of Information requests. Residents of Hobart might well consider whether such a lack of transparency is acceptable in this day and age. Elected councillors should be properly accountable to the public.

While the Battery Point foreshore and the Boot Reserve land negotiations receive full media attention, another battle for public land is being waged at the other end of town. Unfortunately, a majority of Aldermen have not yet seen fit to support the purchase of 6 acres of land adjoining Ancanthe Park.

Perhaps they are not aware that Lady Franklin granted 10 acres to the people of Hobart, but less than half of that now remains as Ancanthe Park. Perhaps they don’t believe that the cultural, environmental and recreational benefits are worth saving for future generations. Perhaps they simply don’t have the capacity for vision that Lady Franklin displayed way back in 1842.

Ancanthe Park is the heart of Lenah Valley. It is a jewel that draws a line between suburbia and the slopes of Mt Wellington. It is where we’ve all started our walks to the summit. It combines history, culture, botany, landscape, wildlife and community activity. The land now under threat of development not only borders Ancanthe Park and Brushy Creek, but actually contains part of the creek. It is listed as “critical” in the Local Area Plan, developed in 1998. That is the highest category, deserving of special consideration.

Council’s decision not to purchase the land was taken in “Closed Council”, which means that no information is available to the public. The Lenah Valley Progress Association believes that residents are entitled to know the basis of the decision, and the voting pattern of Aldermen. We are aware that a report was provided to Council that examined the social, environmental and cultural values of the land. We believe that report should be made public.

Lenah Valley Progress Association (LVPA) has expressed its concern at these matters being considered in ‘Closed Council’. No minutes are available. No voting record of Aldermen is available, and nor is the report on which the decision is based. And, to top it off, the whole process is exempt from Freedom of Information requests. Residents of Hobart might well consider whether such a lack of transparency is acceptable in this day and age. Elected councillors should be properly accountable to the public.

When questioned by LVPA about the decision to consider the matter in “Closed Council”, HCC advised that it “is a consistent approach by the council when dealing with discussions on the purchase and sale of land”. But, under the legislation, Council could have authorized the release of non-confidential material.

Council does have guidelines to assist it when deciding to purchase private land. The land adjacent to Ancanthe Park satisfies all of the criteria. For example:

Environmental: The proximity of the land to Ancanthe Park and Brushy Creek, and the need to protect wildlife habitat, must surely mean that environmental considerations are satisfied.

Heritage: The proximity of the Lady Franklin Museum and the bequest of Lady Jane Franklin must surely mean that heritage considerations are satisfied.

Recreational values: The obvious need to extend Ancanthe Park to take advantage of natural links to Mountain Park must surely mean that open space and recreational values are satisfied.

Community interest: The petition with over 500 signatures must surely mean that the community has demonstrated its interest in the land.

Financial: LVPA accepts that purchase negotiations may be sensitive and confidential, but the land was advertised in August for $600,000. Using that as a ball-park figure, there does not appear to be any great impediment to the purchase. For the values retained, and the future amenity of the area, that amount might be considered quite reasonable.

The Lenah Valley Progress Association will continue to press for the land to be purchased for public use. You can help by coming along to the “Information Day in the Park”, on Sunday 25 March, from 10.30am, to learn about its history and to contribute your ideas

Leo Foley

President

Lenah Valley Progress Association