More than 1100 people have signed a petition that calls on the state government to buy back the former Morpeth Bowling Club site and return it to its former glory as recreational land.
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The petition, which was organised by Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group, mostly attracted signatures from residents in Morpeth, East Maitland and Tenambit.
“About 300 Morpeth residents signed the petition, which represents a good percentage of the town,” group president Simon Brooker said. “The next biggest supporters were East Maitland and Tenambit.”
Mr Brooker said the interest from residents in surrounding suburbs showed the area was concerned about the heritage impacts on Morpeth.
“The town’s heritage and rural setting is of state and national significance,” he said.
“The former bowling club site should never have been released from Crown land in the first place.
“We’re calling on the state government to listen to us and to buy back the site.
“It should remain a recreational area because it was originally part of the historic Morpeth Common.”
Records show the Edward Street site, which Morpeth Land Company now owns, was part of the original 1840s Morpeth town plan.
Long before that it was a thriving rainforest. Hunter Wetlands CEO Dr Stuart Blanch has suggested it be reinstated as a rainforest, if there was enough support for it.
The state government is considering the company’s plans to build 22 medium-density houses on the site, which would be marketed at the over 55s.
Residents opposed to the plan said the development would negatively impact on Morpeth’s heritage and character.
They have united through Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group and called on the state government to heritage list the town in a bid to shake off developers.
The clubhouse on the site is already being converted into a childcare centre, which is expected to open its doors later this year.
