April 14th 2006: The issue as it stands.

A petition with a total of 357
signatures has been collected in regard to the community consultation
process for the sale of the majority of Oakdale Ave Reserve and should be
presented to council at the relevant meeting.

It is to be included as part of the
community consultation process for Oakdale Ave Reserve in which residents have
been asked if they agree to the sale of 80% of the Reserve.

The bulk of the signatories live around or
near to the Reserve and have clearly rejected the council's proposal to sell
the majority of the land whilst wanting the fence replaced and the Reserve
developed to a high standard.

The wording of the petition is:

"We, the undersigned, demand that
Campbelltown City Council

1.     

1.      Replace 100% of the
dangerous asbestos fencing surrounding Oakdale Ave Park at its own cost to
protect the community from this dangerous substance.

2.     

2.      Rescind its decision to
sell the majority of Oakdale Ave Park

3.     

3.      Follow Council's
Strategic Plan 2005-2010 for sound governance and to base decisions on the
Council's Open Space Strategy. This is to "develop and maintain open space
for the use and enjoyment of the whole community" involving
partnering with the community in the further development and enhancement of
open spaces" to ensure that Oakdale Ave Reserve meets the Goal Outcomes of
"Quality Open Space, Protected and enhanced local environs and Improved
biodiversity"

These views are in
addition to the results from the public meeting at Oakdale Ave Reserve on 5
March 2006 when an overwhelming majority,(54 to 3) voted to retain 100% of the
park.

In addition at the recent Ward Forum on 11 April
2006 the needs outlined by the community (Playgrounds to cater for children of all ages
including toddlers and teenagers, shade, facilities for disabled,
netball/basketball area, somewhere to ride bikes safely but with a challenge,
picnic facilities, skating, space to practice soccer and football, practice
nets for cricket, barbecues, water, facilities for dogs but no public toilets.) indicate that the 2000 square metres being considered by
council is totally insufficient to meet the community's needs.

A mechanism to partner with the community should
be developed, at once, to ensure that the asbestos fence is replaced
immediately, whilst the larger issue of the future of the Reserve and whether
it should remain as community land is handled in a manner acceptable
to the wider community.

A working party consisting of nearby and
affected residents, ward councillors and council staff would be a first step to
resolving these issues in a fair manner.