North coast Nationals MLC Ben Franklin says he has today met with education minister Adrian Piccoli to express his ‘strong opposition to any plan to sell off open space in Suffolk Park owned by the Education Department.’
Mr Franklin’s announcement follows announcements from local Labor and Greens MPs and councillors in support of a grassroots campaign to save the site from sale.
The departmental land, now deemed excess to requirement, has been used by the local community for decades as a playing field and more recently a community garden.
Mr Franklin said he’ expressed our very strong opposition to the government selling off this land,’ to the minister.
‘This land is used by a substantial cross section of the community – from the Suffolk Park Football Club, to community gardeners, cricket groups and a broad range of local residents.
‘It is the only public space in Suffolk Park and I strongly believe it must remain available for our community.
‘On behalf of the Nationals I will do all I can to convince the minister and government not to proceed with this sale.
‘Minister Piccoli thanked me for representing the community’s views so strongly and committed to consider the issue further.
‘I will always stand up for my community and will keep fighting within government for this land to remain available for our residents, Mr Franklin said.
But Mr Franklin is in a bit of a pickle over his statement that he is speaking ‘on behalf of the Nationals’ on the issue: minister Piccoli is a member of the same party.
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