Contested public space in Dulong:
"We need to consider the needs of the people who live here, who are impacted by poor design and lack of facilities."
Currently are experiencing a growing, and ageing population.
We have ...
- Roads designed for vehicle use only
- No public space within Dulong
- A quarry where we once had a public space - the Dulong State School
- The School of Arts site which was 'gifted' community space, in private hands and approved for residential development
- No access to public transport
- Our first National Park style walkway opened in August 2016, a development condition, and valuable social infrastructure. Sadly, maintenance requests sent to Council on 19 December 2016 and 21 February 2017 remain unanswered. It seems that no-one wants to take responsibility for the walkway which we'll lose if this continues.
We continue to advocate for the Dulong community.
We have a permit to hold 'On the Verge' activities for the first half of 2017, by which time Cr Rogerson is expected to announce the location and details of land for the community, for a community garden and informal meeting place.
The announcement was expected at the walkway opening on 13 August 2016, then about 6 weeks later but definitely before Christmas 2016.
We're still waiting.
Perhaps issues in this community will need to become election issues, particularly if Cr Rogerson intends to stand as a candidate for the State Electorate of Nicklin, in which case, there will be a new Councillor to represent the ratepayers of Division 10?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Conversation 9 March 2017 from the 'Contested Public Space' Series
The World Health Organisation promotes healthy ageing as the ability to live an active, safe and socially inclusive lifestyle.
Current planning and development processes present several barriers to the provision of age-friendly infrastructure.
Given the growing number of older people, and thus their increasing political influence, successful governments will need to respond to their needs and, in particular, the need for supportive social and physical environments.
|
