BY KATHLEEN SCOTT
SYDNEY — "The people have saved Callan Park — the danger is now demolition by neglect", read the billboards dotted around the much-loved and valuable heritage site in Sydney's inner west. Callan Park is a vital resource, a well-used recreational and cultural site, and the home of Rozelle Psychiatric Hospital, but it is still under threat.
For years, the Friends of Callan Park (FOCP) have campaigned tirelessly to secure the future of the park and hospital. Their battle led to the successful enactment of the Callan Park Act, which was passed by the NSW parliament towards the end of 2002.
This was the culmination of a long and arduous campaign by FOCP, with support from the local community, to stave off developers from irreversibly seizing public land for private gains.
Almost one year on, FOCP president Jean Lennane says there has been "no evidence of activity" by local MP Sandra Nori and the state Labor government she is part of, to follow up the group's concerns.
"It's demolition by neglect", Lennane said. "Once things are actually falling down, they're declared unsafe and have to be demolished." Examples of neglect are clearly visible in the gardens around the park and the deterioration of intricate stonework and historic buildings. Vandalism appears to be increasing.
FOCP is campaigning for a Callan Park Trust to be formed, in order to manage the park. The group argued this in a document titled "The future of Callan Park: A suggested vision and way forward", which is supported by Leichhardt Council and will be sent for ministerial consideration. One of the biggest concerns to FOCP is the planned closure of Rozelle Hospital and the proposal to move mental health services from Rozelle to Concord Hospital in 2005.
"The impact on locals who have mental illness will be severe", according to Lennane. "Already there is a critical shortage of beds and Concord, as well as being extremely difficult to get to [by public transport] — will only have half to two-thirds the current number of beds".
With the decline in vital in-patient services, mental health sufferers and their families will be increasingly left to their own devices in the community, often with tragic consequences.
FOCP has been developing a web site to highlight these issues, it plans to include a death toll report (suicides and homicides as they occur), memorial section for families, and "service watch" for staff and others to report cuts in services. The incomplete web sit can be found at <http://www.mentalhealth-untoldstory.com>.
More information on FOCP and the trust proposal can be found at <http://www.callanpark.com>.
From Green Left Weekly, September 10, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.