No way: Susan Shipway hands a petition to council via Ward 1 Clr Eleanor Gibbs on May 23, opposing council's proposed sale of the old Blackheath airstrip site.
Sections of Blackheath’s community banded together last week to oppose the council’s proposed sale of the old Blackheath airstrip site beside Hat Hill Road.
The council is seeking to sell the site as 45 residential lots — half the number of lots permitted under an approved subdivision plan — to partly fund the Springwood town centre revitalisation project
Blackheath Airstrip Community Group spokesperson Susan Shipway handed a petition against the sale to Ward 1 councillor Eleanor Gibbs and Ward 1 Greens candidate Brent Hoare on May 23.
Members of Blackheath community organisations and local residents that attended a rally on May 22 where they unanimously supported a call to immediately cease all action in relation to the proposed sale and to consult with the Blackheath community.
Council is hosting its own public information meeting on May 31 from 7.30pm at Blackheath Community Centre.
“Holding a token public meeting when council has already made up its mind is not public consultation,” said Susan Shipway.
“We have been contacted by a number of affected residents and community organisations who have raised legitimate concerns, which council needs to hear and properly consider before proceeding further,” said Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre manager Judy Finch.
The meeting objected to all proceeds from the proposed sale of the land being allocated to upgrade projects in Springwood.
“There are needs in Blackheath, the local neighbourhood centre desperately needs bigger facilities,” said Blackheath Highway Action Group spokesperson Michael Paag.
Friends of Blackheath Pool and Memorial Park convenor Simon Hare warned if the sale goes ahead as proposed, “council will try the same approach elsewhere in the Blue Mountains — villages such as Medlow Bath could be next”.