The attention of ratepayers is drawn to the proposed changes to the Tamworth LEP to reclassify the Velodrome at the corner of Roderick Street and Kable Avenue from Public recreation RE1 to B3 Commercial. Classification B3 Commercial means that the land can be used for commercial development or residential flats. The proposed change by Tamworth regional Council (TRC) has been advertised in the Northern Daily Leader on Saturday the 18th and 25th of February.
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The land was formerly known as the Prince of Wales Oval and dedicated in 1911 as public recreational and athletics grounds. Prince of Wales Park vested in TRC ownership in 1977. The land was reclassified from public reserve status to operational land in 2002 to allow for leases for kiosks or cafes etc. The land has been regarded as part of the Bicentennial Park according to the planning proposal dated January 2017. Historically, Prince of Wales Park was part of the playing fields extending from No 1 Oval to Prince of Wales Park, until turned over to passive recreation in more recent years.
The planning document states that there is a shortage of property for development in the core CBD and that the velodrome site could be a source of additional land for core CBD use, based on strategic plan documents from 2008.
On 16 December 2014 Council adopted the recommended funding strategy for the Northern Inland Centre of Excellence to include the sale of the Velodrome site. On 13 December 2016 Council resolved to have the land reclassified as B3 Commercial in preparation for sale.
If the ratepayers are concerned that public recreational land in this location is to be converted to commercial use, you are encouraged to make a submission to TRC stating what your objections are. If sufficient numbers of objections are lodged, TRC will need to call a public meeting to allow the concerns of ratepayers to be voiced.
Stephen Maher
Tamworth
