Council To Reserve Its Decision
Newcastle Herald
Friday April 20, 2007
THE future of animal exhibits at Blackbutt Reserve remains uncertain.
Newcastle City Council general manager Janet Dore has confirmed that the onus is on Blackbutt to generate an income to cover the cost of the exhibits, at least $300,000.If an entry fee, coffee cart or some other combination of activities cannot raise enough money then the future of the exhibits will be reviewed. Blackbutt Reserve committee member Cr Paul Scobie said on Wednesday that Blackbutt supporters, including volunteers, were confident they could raise enough money through the introduction of an entry fee of $5 for adults (older than 14 years) and $3 for children (three to 14 years).Exhibits under threat include kangaroos and small birds.The council had identified savings of almost $190,000 it could make by cutting services to Blackbutt. At its meeting on Tuesday night, that figure rose to $300,000.The community will be asked to comment when the council's plan of management is put on exhibition. Gabriel Wingate-Pearse
© 2007 Newcastle Herald