A plan for Conondale's Green Park

By Kerry BrownEmotions ran high at a community meeting in Conondale to discuss the future of Green Park. A long running dispute between current lease holders, Sunshine Coast Motorcycle Club SCMCC, and the Conondale Memorial Sport and Recreational Reserve (CMSRR) Trustees hit a crisis point in 2014 resulting in the trustees being dismissed by the former Minister for Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) Andrew Cripps MP. Sunshine Coast Council were appointed as trustees for the park and are working to develop a land management plan in collaboration with the Conondale community and current lease holders SCMCC.Division Five Councillor Jenny McKay organised the meeting to encourage local residents to have a say in the future management of the park, "It is all about the Conondale community, we want them to be involved in developing the land management plan," Cr McKay explained. "The State Government has appointed council as the trustees and we will source funding to engage the community in determining the future of the reserve."On 2 September 2014, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines removed the Conondale Memorial Sports and Recreation Reserve Inc (CMSRR) as trustees of the Conondale Memorial Sports and Recreation Reserve. A spokesperson for DNRM said the Department requested CMSRR provide bank statements outlining any expenditure and revenue; close the trust fund account; and provide the final trust funds and any trust files to the Department, "A response from CMSRR to that request has not yet been received," the spokesperson concluded.According to a spokesperson for the former trustees the relationship with the motorbike club changed when other groups wanted to use the park, "The exclusive use for one group is not in the best interest of the community and all we ever wanted was for other groups to have access to the park," the spokesperson said.SCMCC President Steve Harrison said the motorbike club has been at Green Park since 1976 and purchased 180 acres of freehold land adjoining the park, "We have run major events at the park for years and a number of community groups are beneficiaries from these events but we need secure tenure so we can keep holding these events," Mr Harrison said."There is no issue with other groups using Green Park as long as they have adequate insurance to take full responsibility for any damage to existing facilities in the park.”Cr Jenny McKay said council are encouraging other groups to use Green Park, "Council is now the trustee for Green Park and if other groups wish to use it then it is as simple as applying to council for permission," Cr McKay said.Despite a letter from current Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Anthony Lynham reinforcing the previous government’s decision for council to manage Green Park, Conondale resident Ron Green said they will hold elections for new trustees. "It belongs to the people who live here and we will hold elections in the next few weeks to have new trustees look after the park," Mr Green said.PHOTOCr Jenny McKay answers questions from the floor at the Conondale community meeting about the future of Green Park.