IT is a place of importance. That is the opinion Krystal and Ray Hurst of Ruprecht Park in Taree and they are keen quash a Greater Taree City Council proposal to dedicate the land to Housing NSW.
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Ruprecht Park is one of 27 parks or reserves in the Manning Valley that council is seeking to sell or dedicate to other organisations to raise revenue and reduce its annual maintenance costs. Last year council reviewed all of its parks and reserves and prepared a draft Open Space Improvement Plan that proposed locations for removal from council's books - Ruprecht Park is on the list. The 3.2 hectare site is bordered by Ronald Road, Marjorie Street and Valerie Street and the plan proposes to rezone the park to residential and dedicate it to Housing NSW.
Krystal and Ray Hurst will oppose council's proposal as they contend it is "an important part of Taree's heritage" and argue that it was previously known as Browns Hill, an Aboriginal fringe camp established by the Biripi and Worimi families during the 1800s and early 1900s.
"Surely there are other suitable areas for public housing that won't be subjected to the destruction of vital aspects of our regions cultural history," Krystal said.
"This important part of our history is under threat by proposals outlined within the draft Open Space Improvement Plan. Most importantly, within the Open Space Strategy 2011 which led to the draft Open Space Improvement Plan 2014, the criteria and standards for open spaces specify that identified areas must not be restricted by Aboriginal or european cultural heritage. It is clear that Ruprecht Park's 'Browns Hill' heritage was overlooked or was not thoroughly investigated. The heritage values of Browns Hill meets this criterion, thus restricting further development on the park.
"This oversight raises some serious questions about the procedures used to determine Ruprecht Park as having no evidence of Aboriginal or European heritage when substantial evidence shows otherwise.
"Aboriginal heritage is more than the conventional stones and bones ideology of a culture that lives in the past. It is current and living, which stems from the deep understanding and knowledge of country, stories and connection to landscape - one in which our community and the surrounds still genuinely hold.
"For some Ruprecht Park is just a park with a few trees and a playground, an under-utilised open space. But once you know the story attached to that place, it transforms into a place of importance. One that we must protect and acknowledge.
"I am positive that Taree is a community that embraces its Aboriginal and european heritage by making vital steps to ensure preservation strategies are put into practice.
"I strongly recommend council re-examine the proposed recommendation before a vital part of our region's history is destroyed, and also consider the allocation of a suitable group to preserve and maintain Ruprecht Park to honour this area which demonstrates cultural and historical significance."
Council's senior leader governance Jane Ree welcomed Krystal's comments about the inclusion of Ruprecht Park in the draft Open Space Improvement Plan.
"Consultation with the community is vital in gathering information such as this so that we can make informed decisions regarding such matters," Ms Ree said.
"The AHIMS database held by the Department of Planning and Environment does not record the park as having any Aboriginal significance. This is the database all government agencies and councils use to check this.
"The draft Open Space Improvement Plan is a discussion document, that seeks comment from the community in order to assist future planning.
"It is not a strategic plan already determined. We have expressed that the plans outlined in the draft Open Space Improvement Plan are not set in stone, however are based on previous requests from the community and other government bodies.
"We are currently working with residents in that locality to develop a survey that will be taken to the community, so that people have that additional opportunity to have their say and we will also be running a workshop at Bushtukka Cafe in late February to gather people's viewpoints and brainstorm ideas on ways this park could be improved.
"As a part of this consultation process we have planned to specifically target the local Aboriginal community given the significance of the area. Local representative organisations and individual community elders will be contacted to make sure we can involve them in the community consultation activities and ensure their views are captured."
Ms Ree also advised that council staff will meet with the Office of Environment and Heritage to discuss the Aboriginal place nomination of Ruprecht Park for the Aboriginal Places and State Heritage Register.
See also 'Parklands and reserves up for sale'
