City of Canada Bay has secured the future of Sibbick St Reserve.
City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has announced today that the federal Department of Finance has accepted Council’s offer for Sibbick Street Reserve – securing the important green space for generations to come.
“I am over the moon that we have been able to lock in the future of Sibbick Street Reserve for our community,” Mayor Tsirekas said. “This is a huge win for local residents who have campaigned on this issue for many months.”
“Since I raised this issue in August last year, Council has worked hard to negotiate for the future of this land and we are thrilled to learn that the Minister of Finance has accepted our offer and agreed to transfer the land to Council.”
Local resident Tony La Rossa has been spearheading the community campaign to save the reserve since he heard of the threat to Russell Lea’s only park.
“I’m thrilled to hear that Sibbick Street Reserve will be transferred into the custody of the local community for good and I’d like to thank all of the thousands of community members who signed our petition to save the park,” La Rossa said.
“Congratulations to the City of Canada Bay for getting the job done and stepping in to lock in the future of this important local green space.”
In 2019, the Commonwealth Department of Finance advised Council that the future of Sibbick Street Reserve would be up for review as its long-term lease came to a close.
Since Drummoyne Council entered into a lease with the Federal Government in 1975, Council has undertaken substantial capital improvements to the reserve, including over $120,000 of investment in the past ten years alone.
In its letter to Council, the Department stated that there is was "low likelihood of a Commonwealth use requirement for this site going forward" and that "the land is potentially surplus."
Following the approach from the Department of Finance, Council made a reasonable request that the Department transfer the land to the City of Canada Bay for a nominal figure so it can continue to invest in and maintain the park for community use.
After a period of negotiation, Council and the Department came to an agreement on Friday, 29 January 2021.
“With the Finance Department officially accepting our offer, the City of Canada Bay will now get back to work investing in and maintaining the park for community use into the future,” Mayor Tsirekas said.
