On Saturday 2 March 2013, and despite persistent rain, approximately 80 people turned up to the rally organised by the Friends of Callan Park (FocP) calling for the endorsement of the Callan Park Master Plan and the appointment of a Trust to govern the Park.

The FoCP also called on NSW Ambulance to withdraw its claim to buildings 220, 221 and 222 of Callan Park which it believes should be used for the provision of mental health services rather than to house NSW Ambulance’s IT department.

Speakers at the rally included:

• Jamie Parker, MP for Balmain;
• John Stamolis, former Leichhardt Councilor, now FoCP president;
• Hall Greenland, former president of FoCP and now aspiring Greens Member for the federal seat of Grayndler (presently
  held by Labor’s Minster for Transport and Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese);
• Jenna Bateman, CEO, Mental Health Co-ordinating Council, and
• other speakers representing mental health services

Those present resolved to call on the Planning Minister Brad Hazzard to approve the Callan Park Master Plan and separately, the desist from the approach of ad-hoc approvals for components of Callan Park (Sporting fields) ahead of any approved Master Plan.

The State government has not only sat in consideration of the draft master plan for over a year, it has now called in external consultants to yet further analyse the plan. FoCP assert that this is merely a stalling tactic which affords the State Government the opportunity to effect piece-meal approvals ‘under the radar’ for favoured elements of the park.

BIKESydney supports the call for an expedited approval of the existing Master Plan and with it that Callan Park be governed by Trust including community representatives.

BIKESydney was materially involved in the master plan process and found it to be transparent and responsive to its advocacy for cycling (and walking) elements including cycleways, shared paths, bike facilities, bicycle tourism initiatives, and a Bike Hub which we believe will act to knit the external and internal communities of the park (eg, reintegration programs for mental health clients, internal transport for the community farm and gardens, shared projects with the College of Fine Arts. BIKESydney’s vision for a Bike Hub includes bike hire, a bike recycling facility, a community and engagement space and a cafe which would allow for the Hub to be financially self-sustaining.

We see that efforts are now best directed to:

• Galvanising community support for the Master Plan under one alliance (likely under the FoCP banner);
• Encouraging petitioning of the Minster for Planning

BIKESydney will approach the FoCP and send a request to the Brad Hazzard, Minister for Planning and keep you updated through this website and our facebook page.

We encourage everyone to write to the Planning Minister (office@hazzard.minister.nsw.gov.au) requesting that he approve the Callan Park Master Plan. Even a one-line email effectively registers your vote.

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Callan Park is an oasis from the traffic-bothered urban environment

1. Looking north from the main entrance to the Sydney College of the Arts
2. The water tower of the Kirkbride building
3. View south along North Crescent
4. View over King George Park from north Crescent
5. Iron Cove Bridge from Callan Point
6. King George Park from Callan Point
7. Garry Owen Summer House, Callan Point
8. The Convalescence Cottages