The Honourable R. J. Carr MP,
Premier of NSW
Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Dear Bob,

Stockton Bight- National Park, SRA, Regional Park, Mining & Land Rights Announcement

Parks and Playgrounds Movement is disappointed that you and your officers did not discuss with the Movement how you intended to implement your election promise to declare the Stockton Bight National Park.

We were particularly disappointed that you did not furnish the Movement with the details of your latest announcement. You are personally aware of my interest in this matter as president of the Parks and Playgrounds Movement and I personally handed you a photo of Stockton Bight when you were in Newcastle to sign the agreement on the Austeel proposal.

The Parks and Playgrounds Movement is the premier conservation group in the Hunter Region and has been operating continuously in this region for forty-nine years. (Northern Parks & Playgrounds Movement)

I have been a member of this organisation since 1962 and was editor of the document Hunter 2000 published by the National Trust at the request of the State Planning Authority of NSW for advice to assist in the development of planning proposal in the Hunter Region.

Newcastle Bight/Stockton Bight (Nature Reserve ) proposal was included in Hunter 2000.

At that time most of the area had nominal protection under the Hunter District Water Board as Water Reserves. Now you are finally moving towards another type of protection but we are concerned that the Bight is not destroyed before it is protected!

In view of Parks and Playgrounds Movement’s long term commitment to the conservation of Newcastle/Stockton Bight we ask that we be consulted on matters dealing with its management.

Parks and Playgrounds Movement resolved at its February meeting 28/2/2001 that the Premier the Hon Bob Carr be asked to give an undertaking to the people of the region that a condition will be entered on the title to the Stockton Bight former crown land that will ensure that the Bight will remain open to all members of the public and without discrimination in perpetuity .

We trust that you will see that this is done.

Website-http://www.geocities.com/parksandplaygrounds/