Wollongong councillors voted to push for a World Heritage listing for the Royal National Park, in a effort to protect it from becoming part of the F6 extension.
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Councillors voted unanimously on Monday to support a motion from Labor councillor David Brown to voice support to protect the park.
Cr Brown said he had been prompted to highlight the council’s views on the need to protect the park after a NSW government report floated two options for the F6 extension, “one involving the Park vandalism” by taking 60 hectares as part of the road.
“Resident opinion turned quickly to the obvious third option of improving the train service,” he said. “They said leave the park alone and improve the rail to Sydney.”
Green councillor Jill Merrin noted councillors previously voted to support heritage listing in 2013, but thanked Cr Brown for highlighting protection again.
Liberal Leigh Colacino agreed with the heritage listing, but said he did not wish to focus on the need to protect the park from changes to rail or road.
“I want to fight for the park as it is, but I take exception to this being about the M1 or F6,” Cr Colacino said.
“We have a railway line next the the national park, and we don’t want to stop any improvements for that.”
“But I want to fight for the heritage listing because this is the first or second national park in the world.”