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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-27 Daily Xml
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CONSTABLE HYDE MEMORIAL GARDEN

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:49): I rise to advise the house of a matter I am sure all members will be extremely concerned about, and that is the plan by an agency of the government, Renewal SA, to sell off a Leabrook park which was originally established as a police memorial and which potentially, in the worst case scenario, will become housing blocks.

Through my associations over a long period of time with policing, I am aware that the South Australia Police Historical Society has expressed concern about this proposal as indeed has the council. Family First has real concerns that this government has now got the state into such a terrible situation financially that they are starting to sell off even small reserves that have very strong social history.

In this particular case, just over 100 years ago, a young constable named William Hyde tragically was murdered when he attempted to arrest some criminals very close to this park. As a result of that, when William Hyde was buried between the church and the cemetery, about 15,000 people lined the streets which indicates the concern the community of South Australia had then. Ultimately, a memorial was put there. About 30 years ago, that memorial was reinvigorated: a new tree was planted and a plaque placed near the tree.

For the last 30 years, the council—and I thank the council for this—has actually been maintaining the park and all was well. Sir, if you want to go and have a look at this park, it is a beautiful park with many trees. As well as a memorial, it has a playground and it is one of the few open space areas in a fairly consolidated, very nice part of the Burnside council area at Marryatville, which is where Constable William Hyde was stationed.

What concerns me about this is that, there was no consultation with South Australian police the Police Association, the Police Historical Society and also the organisation that looks after historical sites and historical valuable assets in the Burnside council area. My understanding is that none of them were consulted. Renewal SA has contacted the council and I understand they want a huge figure for the land. It was said on the radio when I was involved in an interview on this matter, the figure is possibly up to $5 million.

I know the government is strapped for cash, but surely in the long-term interests of South Australia and given that this is the 175th anniversary this year of the South Australian police force—the third oldest police force in the world—the government would show some respect for Constable William Hyde and, as a result of that, also show some respect for all the other police officers we have lost in the line of duty.

Also, there is the fact that we do need open space. We have seen what has happened with St Clair; we are going to debate that later today. We have seen what has happened with Cheltenham and a lot of other open space areas within the metropolitan area. If the government is going to push for further urban infill and high-rise, as indeed they are, then the limited amount of open space that we still have should be left for the long-term benefit of future generations, as our forefathers did for us.

I am calling on the government to show respect to Constable William Hyde and other police officers who have lost their lives working to keep this state safe and I am also calling on the government to focus its open space policy and not to sell this land. Their budget is still around $15 billion or better. They need to ensure that they keep their grubby paws off this and I do not think it is right, either, that they should expect the council, on this occasion, to purchase that open space. They have not ruled out actually turning it into housing if indeed the council does not buy it.

With those few words, I call on colleagues to have a look at this and do what I have done and that is write a letter to the Premier requesting that he ensure that this land is not sold and remains in the ownership of the South Australian government.

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