A GREEN ban has been placed on work at William Dunstan Reserve. Members of unions are being discouraged from working on the site or participating in any work as part of the sale of the land.
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The Victorian union movement and the Building Industry Group of Unions placed the ban as a result of the Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council moving a motion.
BRTLC secretary Brett Edgington said as a union group, their responsibility was to look out for workers not only in their workplace, but also in the community.
“If this park can be sold into private hands and be developed, what then is to protect the same thing happening to other parks?” he asked.
He said the trades and labour council had been involved and watching the situation for almost two years.
“Back then, (Ballarat City) Council voted to assist the Friends of William Dunstan Reserve.
“After Friends of the William Dunstan Reserve weren’t successful at VCAT, they asked us if anything else could be done.”
Mr Edgington said residents were told they could use Llanberris Reserve as a nearby recreational space, but the gates were locked unless used for an event.
“After that there’s Pearce Park on Humffray Street, but that’s quite a march for some.”
He said a successful union green ban had saved the iconic warehouse building on Bakery Hill in the 1970s, creating what is one of the most unique and sympathetic McDonald’s restaurant buildings in Australia.
Sovereign Hill bought the reserve land in 1997 from the state government with the proviso it would not be subdivided. But with later changes made to legislation, it was listed on the market about two years ago.
Mr Edgington said not only were people discouraged from working on any developments at the site, but residents were encouraged to watch the site and report any development activity.
“We also call on non-union members to recognise and support the ban for the sake of their local community.
“Recreation space is valuable to a healthy community.
“We should all fight to preserve it. Once gone, it is gone for good, and there seems little will from local government to create more.”
nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au