Blue Mountains Gazette 10 October 2007
By Damien Madigan
Springwood's ward councillors have put on a united front to call for an end to negativity threatening to overwhelm the town's revitalisation project, just two days before a special council meeting on the issue. The councillors were stung into action by recent negative submissions from the Springwood Chamber of Commerce and other business interests which were fearful the revitalisation process could lead to a Woolworths retail centre in the town.
"It's a real shame that people have started to become opponents before the process has even really commenced - just give it a chance," said Labor Clr Alison McLaren.
"We're not about to vote on a decision, we're just looking to see what is available."
Councillors are likely to vote to call for expressions of interest from the private sector at a special meeting at Springwood Civic Centre this Friday night. The private sector will be invited to submit proposals for three council-owned sites - the northern and southern car parks, and the civic centre/library site - before council makes a decision on any proposal next March.
With confirmation Woolworths has already informally approached council about coming to Springwood, opposition has gathered to this possibility from the Springwood Chamber of Commerce as well as local real estate agent and former chamber of commerce president, Lindsay Curry. Another Springwood business owner took out a full page advertisement in the Blue Mountains Gazette criticising any plans to sell the civic centre site for a retail/community redevelopment.
But the Ward 3 councillors have urged the community to remain positive about the project.
"No decision has been made. We haven't even got the expressions of interest out yet so let's see what comes in. I believe we're taking the community along with us. We're talking to them all the time," said independent Clr Lyn Trindall.
All three councillors said they may end up rejecting all proposals from the expressions of interest process if they are unsuitable.
"We're not fixed on an option. As councillors, we've not seen proposals from anyone. Yes, we're aware that Woolworths has approached the council but we've not seen anything from them. I would assume we'd get (several responses to the) expressions of interest. This is huge opportunity. I don't think you're going to get just one," said Clr McLaren.
While the councillors acknowledged people's right to express their opinions on the revitalisation process, they said their duty was to consider the entire community in making their decisions, not just sectional interests.
"The chamber of commerce has a right and a duty and an obligation to their members to protect their interests," said Clr McLaren.
"Our duty and obligation is to the wider community. Of course we'll take their views on board but we feel it's a little unfair that they've pre-emptively opposed something when they don't even know what it is - we don't even know what it is!"
Liberal Clr Daniel Myles said the ambience of Springwood was not "under threat" from the revitalisation process because the town's ward councillors wouldn't allow that to happen.
The three councillors urged people to attend this Friday night's council meeting and said they were encouraged by "silent" support for the project.
"So many people are not being negative but we're not hearing from them," said Clr Trindall.
"It's encouraging that when we speak to the average person who has no interest in Springwood besides the fact they shop here and live here, they really want to see something done here," said Clr McLaren.