News

Local News

News

General

Council washes hands of Fairfield Farm

BY STACEY VANOSKA

18 Nov, 2009 09:53 AM

FAIRFIELD City Farm will cease trading from Christmas day, despite a flood of community support.

The council has washed its hands of the impending closure, stating ``questions regarding expressions of interest for the farm should be directed to the Western Sydney Parklands Trust''.

When asked about the future of the farm's animals, Mayor Nick Lalich said ``the native animals may be transitioned to a successful tenderer or relocated to an appropriate venue'' but he would neither deny nor confirm their sale to a third party.

Applications for tenders closed a month ago but the Trust is yet to make a decision on the future of the farm as a business.

The farm was also the subject of political buck-passing in State Parliament last week.

``The Mayor of Fairfield and the State Member For Cabramatta do not seem to understand that this is a great demonstration of the strong support for Fairfield City Farm in the local community,'' Liberal MLC Charlie Lynn told the Parliament.

``Members will recall that I asked the Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, if he was aware that Fairfield City Council will not renew its lease with the Western Sydney Parklands Trust to keep the farm open and running for the benefit of the community. I also asked whether Fairfield City Council had approached him or his department to request the funds necessary to keep Fairfield City Farm open.

``In his response the minister praised the Member for Cabramatta and the Member for Smithfield. He also told me that he would pass my inquiry to the relevant minister, David Borger, the Minister for Western Sydney.

``I do not believe the Minister for Western Sydney is the relevant minister. The Minister for Western Sydney is more of a token appointment and is more concerned with the running of the Western Sydney Business Awards.''

Farm campaigner Vicky Mycio will run a fun event at Fairfield City Farm next week on Saturday, November28, from 9am. The City Farm entrance is off Darling Street, Abbotsbury.

RELATED COVERAGE

23 Sep 09:

Fairfield City Farm's days are numbered

18 Sep 09:

Save Fairfield City Farm

30 Sep 09:

Fairfield City Farm rescue support grows

13 Nov 09:

Passing the buck on Fairfield City Farm

14 Oct 09:

Mayor talks about saving the Farm

comments

Date: Newest first | Oldest first

Absolute disgrace!

Posted by Emmanuel, 18/11/2009 3:41:42 PM

Has anybody heard about the fact that some animals may be slaughtered? On 2gb yesterday one person called in claiming the animals they can't sell off will be slaughered.If that's true it'd disgusting!

Posted by vicky mycio, 18/11/2009 3:44:15 PM

Hi Vicky, I would like to firstly commend you for your efforts and commitment in relation to the farm. Its good to see that their is community spirit in fairfield city. However as a councillor i feel that their has been quite a few intruth told in relation to this issue.As one of twelve out of twelve councillors that voted not to continue the lease on the farm, i am quite prepared to add further light to this issue, in the hope that it might allay some fears, aswell as clear up some issues.Bear in mind that some information is cormercial in confidence, meaning that regardless of our individual views, as councillors we arent able to disclose,not because there is anything to hide, but rather that it might jepordise the tendering process and future of the farm itself. Firstly i heard the interview on 2gb.I would like to clarify the issue of the animals. Rest assured that fairfield council wont be culling any animals in the process you described, that is by slaughtering them.Our number one objective if posible is to forward those animals onto the new farm owners. If not the animals will be forwarded on in a process that is acceptable and humanly appropiate to other interested owners

Posted by frank carbone, 18/11/2009 5:40:44 PM

In relation to the efforts to advertise the City Farm, the list below have all been used in the past in an effort to increase visitors.While it would be easier to keep silent on this issue, due to your strong advocacy of the farm,i felt it would be fair make comment on this issue. The important thing to remember is that all councillors dont take these desicions lightly. It would have been popular perhaps try to continue its operation, but as leaders we have sometimes to make difficult decisions that are in the best interest of all. I can say that all councillors wish that the Western parklands trust which owns the property, or an appropiate tenders is found.Hopefully the Farm will remain and be improoved. We should all wait before passing judgement on our decision, until the final outcome of the farm is known. * Sydney's Child Magazine * Kid Friendly Magazine * Sunday Telegraph * Saturday Telegraph * Local papers - Fairfield Champion, Fairfield Advance, Bankstown Torch, St Marys Star, Blacktown Sun * Totline Magazine * School Excursion Register * Entertainment Book * Oosh Network - Vacation Care Newsletter * Nepean Playgroup Newsletter * Aussie Kids Magazine

Posted by frank carbone, 18/11/2009 5:59:55 PM

The whole arrogance of Nick Latich is truly DISGUSTING. There was no community consultation about the closure, and now the community has spoken out that it does not want this closure, Nick Latich couldn't care less and is dismissive about it. the whole thing is truly DISGUSTING. and if the animals are slaughtered how traumatic for all the kids who have visited them and loved them. How does a parent explain to a child who loves Fairfield City Farm what is happening?

Posted by BB, 18/11/2009 6:10:07 PM

I must say there seems to be a lot of political point scoring.If new owners are found i cant see the problem, private enterprise always runs things better than goverments.For once i agree with councils decision.Why is this council wasting ratepayers money on this farm anyway,we want more footpaths and other essential services.The Western parklands trust should take it up if a private owner isnt found.It makes sense. They could link it up to the great picnic areas that are currently on the site,now that would be an idea.As for the animals, as long as the native animals are taken care of,whats the problem,im sure homes for the others wouldn be too hard to find. If not just take them to the auctions,im sure that new loving owners can be found for them there.What is an MLC that i have never heard of doing raising this issue,has he seen the confidential information to make an informed judgement?Why did his Fellow Liberal Clrs and labor Clrs all agree in thier decision?Surelly we have to accept the decision of informed local councillors, seems like his point scoring to me,he knows he has no influence with labor,just trying to win a popularity contest at local rate payers expense.

Posted by Zayad, 18/11/2009 6:50:57 PM

Nick Lalich, 20 years of community support down the drain, because you and your management team could not run a chook raffle. When it was time to grand stand at the farm and look good in front of the crowd during Australia Day and at many other farm functions there was no shortage of the Mayor craving for adulation, now that it's time to actually get into action about the farm Nick is nowhere to be seen. It is the FAIRFIELD CITY FARM- Nick please stop talking about tourism potential for the city -your action have just taken this city bag a big step. Shame on you.

Posted by Markus Lambert, 18/11/2009 9:21:33 PM

Cant quite understand the fuss. Suelleen fitzgerald from the Park lands trust has confirmed that regardless of the outcome from the tedering process, the Park lands Trust will protect the values that currently are there. It seems to me, that regardless of the outcome from the tedering process that the farm will continue to operate. No doubt she doesnt want to confirm this decision until, all other avenues are investigated. She cant, until the tenders options have been finalised. This get toghether to save the farm seems to be a political stunt, the farm will still be there regardless, more than likely it will be better than before, considering that the Land Lord will be able to better intergrate it with the other facilities such as picnic areas and walking tracks. Stop using this issue as a political football, trying to claim credit for keeping the farm open, when already everybody can see that it will stay open regardless of Charls Lynn or the protesters objections. Rate payers will save a bundle and the farm will continue in a better light. The best outcome allround.

Posted by Andy, 19/11/2009 7:00:52 AM

I think there are many in the Community who think fondly of the Farm from their own experiences, and a large percentage of these people would like to see it continue in its current form. Council is saying that this isn't practical and that they're looking to offload the running of the Farm, but a more generous lead-time before simply pulling the pin and more Community consultation may have prevented some of the angst. Who knows - maybe given more time someone could have come up with a model that could keep the facility in Council's hands and operating more cost-effectively - there are some pretty savvy people in our area. I'm encouraged that the Trust has given assurances for preservation of the property; unfortunately for those who want the current model to prevail, this doesn't guarantee we'll keep something akin to what's there now.

Posted by Bill Cashman, 19/11/2009 9:11:13 AM

I call on Zayad, Andy, Robyn and Patrick Dempsey to come to Fairfield City Farm on November 28 to have a frank discussion with me and the other Councillors about the value of the farm to the local community and to talk to Vicky, who has done a great job shining some light on the issue.

Posted by Zaya Toma, 19/11/2009 9:30:24 AM

1 | 2 | 3 | next >

Most popular articles

1. Vietnamese beauties steal show

2. The battle lines are drawn

3. Trainees turn over a new leaf

4. Teacher faces radical haircut

5. Farm gates reopen

6. Deadly dog disease threat

7. Home is the true goal

Fairfield Champion

Home
News
Sport
Opinion
Weather
- Local Weather
Community
- Send Us News
- Special Features
- Local Clubs
- Events
- Links
- Competitions
- Horoscopes
- Sudoku
Classifieds
About Us
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- Subscribe
- Copyright
- Privacy
Jobs
Real Estate
Cars
- Cars for Sale
- Drive

Sitemap

Local News | Sport | Weather | Community | Classifieds

Screen name	*
Email address	*
Remember me?
Comment	*

	We invite and encourage our readers to post comments. Comments are moderated and will appear as soon as our editor has approved them. When posting comments you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.