People power saves Bankstown CBD park

A park in Bankstown’s CBD has been saved, thanks to people power!

Mayor Khal Asfour, who led the campaign to protect Stevens Reserve, thanked the local community for its support.

“This is a win for local residents and the City,” he said.

“This has been a long battle but Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) have finally listened and backflipped on their intentions.”

In February 2018, RMS informed Council it would be acquiring 200 square metres of land in Stevens Reserve, as part of its work to widen sections of Stacey Street. As a result, the Mayor launched a campaign to fight the move.

“Commonsense has prevailed,” Mayor Asfour said.

“I couldn’t believe that on one hand the Greater Sydney Commission and Department of Planning were calling for councils to expand open space areas and, on the other, RMS was taking away open space.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank the residents who took part in the campaign and the support of the Torch, because their assistance made RMS finally listen to reason.”

Mayor Asfour said while this is a win for Bankstown’s CBD and its residents, the fight continues to save critically endangered ecological trees at Wiley Park.

“RMS still intends to chop down 22 trees and take a portion of Wiley Park for a similar project, at the intersection of Canterbury Road and King Georges Road,” he said.

“Once again, this is unacceptable, and we won’t stand for it.”