One voice makes a difference

We have shown in the past that together we can make a difference:

If you are concerned please write before Friday 21 November to:

Paul Tosi
General Manager
Campbelltown City Council
PO Box 57
Campbelltown NSW 2560

Here are some issues for you to consider:

Noise- The proposal is for a Centre that can occupy two hundred
13-21 year olds. I am very concerned about the noise that would be generated by 200 youths occupying this area every day and night. Also YOTS claim that one of the features will be a “Rock Band” practice area!

* Parking- A facility for 200 youths (plus support staff I assume)
would need more than the 10 parking spaces that it currently has planned. The 200+ people would clog the surrounding streets with their transport.

* Opening & Closing times- What happens at 9PM when 200 Youths are told to go home? We face the very real prospect of 200 Youths filtering into the surrounding park land. The Macquarie Fields Police and Campbelltown Council are well aware of the issues that we have had in the past with this area and this development will be a magnet for youth.
This development will greatly amplify the lawlessness that we have had in this area in the past. Dispersing the Youth every evening will take up a great deal of the Police’s valuable time and resources, which in turn will impact other areas of the community that may be unable to access police assistance.

* Environment – this is a park land that is now available for all
to enjoy, whereas this proposal will limit this and a great deal of the surrounding area to exclusive use of “special needs” 13-21 year olds.
The park currently is used by families and local residents but if this development goes ahead it will alienate a great deal of the surrounding community. I have two sons aged 16 and 13 and they have stated that they will not only loose access to this area but to Glenquarie Shopping mall, as they would not be prepared to walk past this development once occupied. This development threatens our way of life and will impact a great deal of youth in the area that do not have “special needs”.

* Aesthetics- From the drawings the development looks like a
detention center with high fences, 24 hour lighting and security cameras. It most certainly does not fit in with the single story, modest developments in the surrounding area. The double story concrete block will be visible for a great distance given that it is at the top of the Bunburry Curran Valley.

* Other Locations- To appease many hundreds of local residents
concerns why can’t other locations be looked at. The statement that there are no other locations has to be incorrect. A development close to Macquarie Fields Pool and Leisure centre would surely be more beneficial to the YOTs team and the Macquarie Fields residents. There is also space at the corner of Victoria Road and Canterbury Road that would be ideal and not so close to residential areas. There are many vacant and derelict areas in the heart of the area to the East of Canterbury Road.

* Property Values- This development would negatively impact the
value of several hundred privately owned homes in the area and legal action may be an option to protect our investments.

* Wildlife- This area is currently home to a great number of
native species and this development will impact the natural balance of the area.

* Human Impact- the impact of 200+ youths being concentrated in
this location will have a great impact on the surrounding area. The litter, noise, public nuisance, public disturbance and general reduction in value of the area are all unwanted.

* Integration- YOTS claim that this centre will integrate with
the community but they have stated in their literature that no-one over the age of 21 (without Police approval) will be allowed into the area.
This is just a plan for an isolated silo in a community that does not want it. There may be a need for this development but this location is totally incorrect.

Good Intentions - Bad location

Father Chris Riley's "Youth Off The Streets" has put another proposal to build a Youth Centre near Bunburry Curran Park on Victoria Road, Macquarie Fields. Earlier this year, due to objections from local residents, this centre was not approved for construction.
We now require your help again to stop the building of this youth centre due to concerns regarding proximity to residential properties and existing Child Care and Youth Center. The use of the proposed facility is also an issue of concern, when considering the traffic and noise issues certain to arise from the location of this planned youth centre.

The centre aims to host two hundred 13-21 year old youth who have "needs"

It should be made clear that this is not a matter of our opposition to Father Riley's motives but rather that we are requesting that "Youth Off The Streets" find a more practical location and consider the "needs" of local residents.

The recent public meeting in James Meehan School was taken up by a lot of discussion on the motives for the Youth Centre. The motives are not in question. There is an element of our society that would benefit from this facility and if an alternative location is found then both parties would no doubt welcome the outcome.
One thing was very confusing to me and that was the statement that there is no other location suitable. I would like to highlight some alternative locations and make it clear that with regards to this proposal "YOTS has the wrong location"
I welcome any comment on the above...

Here are some alternate locations that may be better suited. Certainly the area near Macquarie Fields Leisure Centre, Swimming Pool and tennis courts will provide more "entertainment" for the Youth and it is less densely populated.

The area near Milton Park is currently waste land and would benefit from development.