To rescind the vote by Councillors Regarding Charles Hand Park – AFL High Performance Training Centre and seek the re-circulation of the survey to ALL Clarence residents.

Our petition rests on the following grounds:

1. **Absence of Consultation:** There was a glaring absence of meaningful consultation with the residents of Clarence regarding the use of Charles Hand Park for this purpose. The decision was made without seeking the input of those who would be directly affected by such a significant change to the community landscape.

2. **Petition to rescind the vote by Councillors:** We petition the CCC to rescind the vote regarding the repurposing of Charles Hand Park for the AFL High Performance Training Centre. Numerous councillors lacked comprehensive information and were unaware of the full implications of the decision, which directly contradicts the City to Heart project—a comprehensive initiative that spanned three years and garnered overwhelming support for the preservation of open spaces. Rescinding the vote and re-circulating the survey is imperative to uphold the fundamental principles of transparency, accountability, and community engagement within governance.

3. **Questionable Majority:** The assertion that 959 completed surveys represent an "overwhelming majority" in favour of the decision, as stated by Mayor Brendan Blomeley, is dubious at best. Considering the population of eligible residents in Clarence stands at 49,009, the sample size of the survey is insufficient to claim a definitive mandate from the community. It should be noted that the CCC Facebook page only has 12k followers, therefore making it impossible for all Clarence residents to be aware of “Have Your Say”

As per Mayor Blomeley’s statement in The Mercury of 20 September 2023 he is quoted as saying:   “We won’t offer a potential site to the state government without understanding what our community wants.

“If we go through community consultation, and the majority of the community are not supportive of having the AFL high performance centre in Clarence, or do not support any of the sites we might test with them, then council will not progress the project.

With only 959 completed surveys, the “majority” of the community have NOT supported this project.

4. **Re-circulation of Survey:** We urge the Council to re-circulate the survey to all eligible residents of Clarence (49,009) to ensure a more comprehensive and representative understanding of community sentiment regarding the use of Charles Hand Park.

5. **Exploration of Alternatives:** Furthermore, we propose that alternative locations, such as Cambridge, be thoroughly explored for the establishment of the AFL High Performance Training Centre. Cambridge offers more suitable characteristics, including flat land and easy access, which align better with the requirements of such a facility.

In conclusion, we urge the Clarence City Council to heed the voices of its constituents and take decisive action to rectify this situation. We implore you to prioritize the well-being and interests of the community by engaging in a more inclusive and transparent decision-making process moving forward and to also consider alternative locations for the AFL High Performance Training Centre.