UNI MUST CONSULT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY

UNI MUST CONSULT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY

A letter to the past president of the Toohey Forest Protection Society
from Griffith University, released today by the Queensland Greens,
confirms that the university plans to link the Nathan campus with
surrounding facilities such as the Brisbane Innovation Park, the
Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, the Food Science Precinct and the
QEII hospital.

The Queensland Greens candidate for the seat of Yeerongpilly, Dr Libby
Connors, says that Griffith University must consult with residents
surrounding Toohey Forest Park over any structures or land swaps affecting
the park.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Griffith University did not rule out new
buildings in the park.

‘The park is precious green space for the suburbs that surround it,’ Libby
Connors said.  ‘The University should incorporate public consultation with
residents into their scoping study.’

‘It is really important for the university to be aware of community
feeling at this stage of their proceedings rather than expending resources
and winning commitment at the executive level only to find that there is a
high level of public antipathy to any development.’

Dr Connors said that the park had been bequested to the city by the Toohey
family and was one of the largest remaining green spaces for the city of
Brisbane.  Its value as the city’s lungs was immense.

‘As southeast Queensland expands the Greens will fight to retain this
wonderful natural bushland for the residents of Tarragindi, Salisbury,
Moorooka and Nathan.

‘The parkland has already been diminished by inappropriate incursions such
as the southeast freeway and even the new bikeway.

‘It must not be allowed to die the death of a thousand cuts.’

Contact: Libby Connors 0429 487 110