BY KRYSTYNA POLLARD 23 Jun, 2010 10:04 AM
Community groups were rallying the troops this week ahead of meetings on two of the biggest controversies currently gripping the Mountains — Springwood’s upgrade and the proposed Faulconbridge crematorium.
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the Springwood issue last night at the civic centre, singled out by users as in desperate need of upgrade or replacement.
A phone survey of 410 randomly selected residents on the issue showed 42 per cent preferred an upgrade of facilities — so-called "option A" — with 26 per cent preferring new facilities on the southern car park (option B), and 25 per cent opting for a staged upgrade of existing structures (option C), the councillors’ report on the issue stated.
However, the results differed wildly to those of an online and paper survey, which showed the vast majority of respondents in favour of option C at 65 per cent and 68 per cent respectively.
The random phone survey was "statistically representative of broader community opinion" compared to the other surveys, the report stated.
"The deliberative phone survey presents a statistically accurate gauge of community opinion, with an accuracy of 95 per cent," it said.
Councillors were last night due to decide whether a community opinion poll would be held on specific private sector proposals relating to the project or simply on general ways to upgrade community and cultural facilities.
A meeting against the proposed Faulconbridge crematorium is due to be held tonight (Wednesday) at the Springwood Sports Club, which is also expected to draw large numbers.
Opponents have organised the two-hour meeting featuring guest speakers addressing issues "that not only concern local residents but the wider community".
The meeting is due to start at 7.30pm.