Cross Street Reserve: WCA's Greatest Victory?

 Cross Street Reserve--WCA's Greatest Victory? 1986--1994

Ever since the construction of Warrimoo Public School on Florabella Street, interest had been growing around the now vacant block of Crown Land situated next to Cross Street. Many years before, citizens had campaigned to turn it into a park/oval, and 'Green Acre Park Ltd' (Arthur Rickard) had offered it to the residents and Council for 15 pounds, under a covenant that the "land be used for public recreation only".

It was done: Council accepted, the residents chipped in, the land was cleared, and cricket was played there during the 1930's. It fell into disuse in the war years and subsequently the Department of Education resumed the land (1957) for the future purpose of building a school there...

By the 1980's, the WCA mustered local support and began writing letters to the State government and Council to have the land designated 'public parkland' so that a new Public Park and Playground could be established as part of the Mountains' 'Bi-Centennial Celebrations' of 1988. This was rejected outright. Then, in 1991, rumours circulated that the State government was prepared to sell the land to Council, meaning the only way BMCC might regain such payment was to subdivide it and develop it as residential blocks.

Cross Street residents meet outside the controversial site to hear a report from WCA President, Allan Bewley--these people were the backbone of the campaign to save Warrimoo bushland from development.

Conversely, the land site in Cross Street meets most requirements as an ideal location for a recreational park: 

•        It is isolated from heavy traffic and the volume of light traffic is unlikely to increase.

•        Sixty-five percent of the houses are located East of the Highway, hence it can be assumed that a high percentage of the population are located in this area.

•     Any large future development within the village boundary is most likely to occur East of the Highway. The need for an additional recreational area is now a requirement.  Further development will escalate that need.

•     Pedestrian access to the proposed site is relatively easy and local light traffic should not jeopardise the safety of children going to and from the proposed park.

 Financial Consideration

Without benefit of legal advice, WCA believe that the Covenant that still remains on the Land Title Document is valid and the land value should reflect the restriction imposed by that Covenant. The land should therefore be used for its intended purpose, that is, recreation without any cost to the Council.

If we are wrong on this assumption, then we ask Council to negotiate with the State Government to buy the land and have it dedicated as parkland.

We believe the new park could be developed over several years with minimal ongoing financial assistance from Council. Most of the labour would be performed by local service clubs and other volunteer labour from within the community.

 WCA have a Landscape Architect who would do the design work free of cost. Our Association would co-ordinate the volunteer work.

 Recommendation

That Council, through the Local State Member, request the Government return the land to Council for recreational purposes, thus acting in the spirit of the original Covenant.

Our Association is willing to assist Council in every way possible.

 Presented to Council by A W Bewley, President of the WCA.

 It was a powerful case, but it did not have its desired effect--at least not immediately. It would take another 3 long years of lobbying, publicity, discussions, letter-writing, legal to-ing and fro-ing and political jousting for the government to finally make its decision, largely pressured by the oncoming Highway widening. As a result, an ecstatic WCA Secretary, Patricia Mungovern, could write this final, triumphal letter to Council...

This gorgeous view greets visitors to the 'bush side' of Cross Street Reserve. There is also a slightly tricky track descending to the valley below...

The Final Letter

 Tel:  047-53 6252                                                                 102 Railway Parade
                                                                                              WARRIMOO  NSW  2774
                                                                                              12 December 1994
 
The City Manager
Blue Mountains City Council
 
Dear Sir
 
SUBJECT:               Cross Street Land – To be Given Crown Land Status
 

After eight years of continuous effort by our Association the State Government have finally made a determination, in our favour, that the Educational land site in Cross Street revert to Crown Land status.  The Minister of Lands will seek concurrence of the BMCC that the land be held in Trust, by the Council, for community use.
 
The Minister for Education, The Honourable Virginia Chadwick, in a letter to Mr Barry Morris, Member for The Blue Mountains on the 1 December 1994 stated, (paraphrased):
 
"I have now written to the Hon G. Souris, Minister for Land and Water Conservation requesting that the site be converted to crown land and reserved for community purposes.  I have also recommended that negotiations be undertaken with the Blue Mountains City Council to act as Trustee".
 
Mr Morris has asked the President of the Association (Allan Bewley) to monitor the transfer of the land between the Education Department and the Lands Department and to liaise with the BMCC as necessary.
 
It would be appreciated if the name of a staff member could be given for Mr Bewley to contact.
 
Yours faithfully
P Mungovan (Mrs)
Honorary Secretary

But the story does not end there. By now BMCC wanted to build a new park adjacent to Rickard Road Oval, and it rejected WCA's long term call for a children's play park--now, the Cross St. land was to be designated a 'Natural Reserve'.

Enthusiastic volunteers clean up the newly won 'Cross Street Reserve', a beautiful piece of public land for the citizens of Warrimoo, and more particularly, neighbouring residents.

Undeterred, WCA organised a 'Working Bee' of enthusiastic local residents to clear and maintain the Reserve. The group became a 'de facto management committee' and published a monthly newsletter for distribution in Cross St. They, as well as the WCA, are responsible for this beautiful piece of Mountains bushland set against a suburban backdrop: it has a walking track, a vista space overlooking a gorgeous valley, a vibrant natural habitat and a children's adventure space.

Truly, a great achievement of the Warrimoo Citizens Association and the people of Warrimoo--let us ensure we preserve it!