Blue Mountains Gazette By Krystina Pollard 14 Jul, 2010 09:48 AM
The Springwood town centre debate has hit new lows after threat allegations were lodged with police and a complaint made to the NSW Ombudsman.
Ward 3 councillors Daniel Myles and Alison McLaren have lodged a police report alleging they had been threatened with physical violence as well as verbally abused, while the NSW Ombudsman's office confirmed this week it had received a complaint in connection with the town centre redevelopment.
The Gazette understands the complaint relates to councillors' handling of the issue.
"I can confirm the office has received a complaint relating to the redevelopment of Springwood town centre," a spokesman for the Ombudsman's office said.
But Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) had no official notification of the complaint from the Ombudsman late last week, a council spokeswoman said.
Accusations of offensive behaviour from both sides of the debate has plagued the Springwood issue since an extraordinary council meeting was held in the town on June 22.
Clrs Myles and McLaren have alleged threats were made after the meeting, which both have now reported to police under the same incident number.
"(A number of people) came to the front table and someone standing behind them said words to the effect of 'a brick through your window'," Clr Myles said.
"I was not sure if it was 'you're going to get a brick through your front window'.
"I lodged that as a complaint so if anything does happen or further threats of physical violence are made we have something on record saying there have been a series of actions in a campaign of intimidation.
"We are not here to be a punching bag for extremists."
Clr McLaren alleged she had also been verbally abused.
An anonymous male had left a voicemail message accusing councillors of being corrupt and she has since been approached on several occasions and abused, Clr McLaren said.
"Since the meeting I have been abused three times on the train and once in Coles supermarket in Winmalee," she said.
"A female also told me I was going to burn in hell for all eternity.
"Initially I was tossing up whether to do it [report the incidents] but when I got abused on the train I decided if anything happened, there would be a record."
Clr McLaren planned to deliver a copy of her voicemail and audio recorded at the June 22 meeting to police, on which she said threats and allegations can be heard.