Mayor signals end of northern ‘neglect’

Helensburgh has been neglected by Wollongong City Council, Lord Mayor Alex Darling told a group of residents at Charles Harper Park late last month.

“We can do nothing about the past and the future is uncertain but we can do something today,” Cr Darling told the gathering.

“Enough is enough.”

Cr Darling was visiting Helensburgh as part of an undertaking to give the northern suburbs more attention following his re-election early last month. He and Ward One councillors, Dave Martin and Alice Cartan, spent four hours talking with residents and business owners and inspecting the area’s facilities

Cr Darling said Helensburgh’s public facilities, including parks and toilets, were not up to Wollongong City standards and, although the park was the cleanest had had seen it in the past five visits, it was still below the city’s benchmark

Among issues raised by ratepayers were the poor state of the gateway to Helensburgh at the top of Parkes Street, the lack of public toilets, the need for proper playground equipment at Charles Harper Park, footpaths and pedestrian crossings.

Cr Darling said representations from the Playground Action Group had put Helensburgh on the priority list and council had made a commitment to upgrade Charles Harper Park.

A management plan would be completed to address the park’s overall future, including the need for proper seating, a potential relocation of the barbecues closer to the playground, putting the bandstand to better use and a walkway through the park.

“Council wants to know what the residents of Helensburgh need and expect from our organisation as well as to see what opportunities exist in the far northern suburbs for council to help the township to its full economic and social potential,” Cr Darling said.

“The way for us to achieve this is through coming to the area and speaking to those who have the most important stake; those who live and work here. My visit is about putting residents’ concerns into a context where we can actually see for ourselves what they are talking about.”

Cr Darling said the roundabout at the junction of Parkes and Walker Streets was a statement and needed beautifying. “It’s disappointing to see the bus stop outside the hotel still there when we agreed to have it moved last time we were here.”

“We need you (the residents) to be our eyes and, when commitments are made, it’s up to you to ring up.”