Nature Reserve or Caravan Park?
Map
Map
Story & Experience
I went to Walka to look at the way it is being “improved” according to the local government. Thousand of people now are objecting to a proposal to excise some of this historic public park and turn it into a caravan and camping place. At the moment the site is used for passive recreation by humans and is home for a remnant mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. Plus, there are many types or birds plus rare and engangered flora and fauna. Maitland City Council is infamous for being the most denuded of native vegetation in the Hunter Region. The region needs more protection of its natural and cultural heritage, not more car orientated tourism. I decided to combine my objection to this mal-development with the Radical Joy bird for 2023.
I went to Walka to look at the way it is being “improved” according to the local government. Thousand of people now are objecting to a proposal to excise some of this historic public park and turn it into a caravan and camping place. At the moment the site is used for passive recreation by humans and is home for a remnant mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. Plus, there are many types or birds plus rare and engangered flora and fauna. Maitland City Council is infamous for being the most denuded of native vegetation in the Hunter Region. The region needs more protection of its natural and cultural heritage, not more car orientated tourism. I decided to combine my objection to this mal-development with the Radical Joy bird for 2023.
Why this Place?
Walka Water Works, Maitland NSW, Australia
Walka is thought to mean “deep water” in the indigenous Wonnarua language. It is a historic site that has been through tough times. While an important industrial archeology site, it has been contaminated with asbestos (a carcinogen). The local government wants to clean up the site, but has chosen to fund it by turning public parkland into a privately run caravan park. We need nature parks more than we need a caravan park.
Act of Beauty
I found a remnant piece of palm frond that reminded me of the shape of a swan. The Black Swan is common on the lake at the Walka Water Works. The Swan sits next to a protest sign on the fence that excludes the public from the old pump house and its surrounds.
Additional Photos
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