By MARIO CHRISTODOULOU
SHELLHARBOUR Mayor David Hamilton is holding the State Government to its word and believes that a referendum is the best way to break the Killalea stalemate.
In a letter to NSW Lands Minister Tony Kelly, Councillor Hamilton proposed that Shellharbour City Council take over running of the park as an alternative to leasing part of the land to private developers.
The referendum, first suggested by Cr Hamilton, would be used to gauge popular support for his proposal. This included an Illawarra-wide levy and a Government-funded development which would help pay for park maintenance.
"I am quite happy to have a referendum and let's see what the public has to say about this," Cr Hamilton said.
He will now contact Mr Kelly about the referendum.
"I'm getting reports everywhere I go - everyone is against Killalea," Cr Hamilton said.
A spokesman for Mr Kelly said while he objected to a Government-funded $2 million complex, he would consider other parts of the proposal if a referendum showed support for the Hamilton plan.
"If (the referendum) did show that there was widespread public support then we would be more inclined to talk to the council about it, but the $2 million is a ridiculous sticking point," he said.
South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris expressed support for a referendum, but believes it should offer residents all the options, including the Government-backed plan to lease part of the land, the Hamilton plan which includes a levy and an option to leave the land as it is.
"The people haven't been asked what they want," he said. "I've always maintained that the Government proposal is one of the most opposed development proposals I've seen in my time as secretary of the labour council and I would be very surprised if people agree to support it."
Deputy Mayor Michele Greig said she was concerned about the cost of a possible referendum and disagreed with imposing a new levy.
Illawarra Mercury - 14 September 2007
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