Blackbutt Reserve

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blackbutt Reserve is a nature reserve in the Newcastle region of New South Wales, Australia.

Location[]

Blackbutt Reserve is located between New Lambton and Kotara.[1] The north and west of the reserve is on Lookout Road and the south is on Carnley Avenue.[1] Since the 1960s, captive animals were displayed, and barbecues and picnic tables were gradually added.[2] In 2014, during construction of a new amenities building at the Carnley Avenue Recreation Area, an old brick lined mine shaft from the 19th century was discovered.[2] The recreation area of the reserve known as Richley Reserve was named after Joe Richley, the president of the , who was very involved in preservation of the reserve.[3] The site currently covers 182 hectares.[4]

History[]

The area of Blackbutt Reserve was originally a coal mine owned by the [3] [5] who commenced mining in the area in 1863.[3]

Between 1915 and 1928, sold small subdivisions in Lambton, New Lambton and Kotara.[3] In 1932, an auction was held on the land, with only 5 of 52 lots being sold.[3] One of the lots that sold was a 17.75 acres portion on Lookout Road, purchased by the Newcastle District Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Institute. [6] Their intention was to provide work for unemployed returned servicemen, and to settle them as farmers on small allotments.[7] The plan proved to be uneconomical and impractical and in March 1938 the land was resumed by the NSW government[8] to form the first official portion of Blackbutt Reserve.

In 1934, Joe Richley, president of the , persuaded New Lambton Council to purchase 6 hectares of bushland.[2] In 1937, New Lambton Council purchased two adjoining 80 acres blocks, making a total land area of 240 acres.[5]

Parliament passed the Municipal Amalgamation Act 1 in 1938, which allowed small councils to be merged into one larger authority.[5] The land was placed in trusteeship by Newcastle City Council in 1938.[2]

In 1940, Blackbutt Reserve was 144 acres.[3] In 1949, part of Blackbutt Reserve was cut off due to the expansion of Carnley Road.[1]

In 1956, Newcastle City Council purchased another 270 acres from the .[7][3] In 1958 part of Blackbutt Reserve was damaged by fire and the introduction of exotic plant species such as lantana.[1]

In 1963, Newcastle City Council began the Blackbutt program as an effort to restore the reserve after it was overtaken by weeds.[2] In 1985, the mining pit was closed and the land was given to Newcastle City Council for residential use.[5] In 1993, the old mine site was renovated and then reopened for public use by Lord Mayor Joy Cummings; it was renamed Richley Reserve.[5]

Highway No.23[]

In 1966, it was announced that Highway No.23 was proposed to be built through the middle of Blackbutt Reserve.[3] In July 1966, Newcastle City Council held a meeting to discuss the Department of Main Roads announcement.[9] After much public protest, the Federal Government appointed a committee to examine the environmental impacts of Highway 23 on 23 July 1974.[1] The report recommended that the Highway 23 project did not progress due to its environmental impact including disruption to bird life, impact on trees, reduced soil quality and noise pollution.[1]

Other proposed projects[]

In 1937 the Mayor of Newcastle, Alderman H Fenton, considered the name "Blackbutt" to be unattractive and suggested that the reserve be named King George V Memorial Park, or Duke of Windsor Reserve.[10] In the 1950s, a large zoo similar to Taronga Park was proposed.[5] The become involved at Blackbutt Reserve in 1953 after rumours of the possibility of establishing a bowling club at the lookout.[11] In 1956, Newcastle City Council wanted to divide the northern part of Blackbutt Reserve into a housing division but, due to public protest, this project was abandoned.[3] In 1958 a Newcastle City Council announced a sub-division but due to pressure by the and 79 other organisations, it was abandoned.[9] In the 1960s, it was suggested to make the site of the .[5] In 1963, the Department of Education announced a plan to purchase a part of the reserve to a build high school but, due to a campaign led by the Northern Parks and Playgrounds Movement, the minister announced that none of Blackbutt Reserve was going to used as a high school.[9] In the 1970s, it was suggested to make the site a private school.[5] In the 1990s, it was suggested to build a 60-meter observation tower.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f House of Represesentatives Standing Committee on Environment and Conservation (December 1974). "Environmental Impact of Freeways : The Impact of State Highway No.23 on Blackbutt Reserve , Newcastle , Newcastle". The Parliament of the commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 16 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e "History of Blackbutt Reserve". Newcastle City Council. Archived from the original on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wetherall, Lachlan. "Blackbutt Reserve". A bit of this , a bit of that. Archived from the original on 2020-09-16. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  4. ^ "About Blackbutt Reserve". City of Newcastle - Blackbutt Reserve. Archived from the original on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Blackbutt Reserve Historical Walk" (PDF). Day Outings 2 -2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-09-16. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Soldiers' Institute Buys Blackbutt". Newcastle Sun. 1932-08-10. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  7. ^ a b "A History of Blackbutt Nature Reserve" by John Ramsland, Associate Professor in Education, University of Newcastle. A manuscript written for the Blackbutt Reserve Local Committee as a contribution to the Australian Bicentennial Celebrations, 1988. Newcastle Region Library Q719.32/RAM
  8. ^ "NOTIFICATION OF RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT, 1912". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 1938-03-04. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  9. ^ a b c Woodgate, R.S (1967). "Save Blackbutt: the case against State Highway violating Blackbutt Reserve". Hunter Living Histories. Retrieved 16 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "NEW NAME SOUGHT". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. 1937-01-05. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  11. ^ "Green Conscience: The Ongoing Struggle for a Clean, Green Newcastle" (PDF). Hunter Living Histories. Wesley Mission. 6 June 2003. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-09-16. Retrieved 16 September 2020.

Coordinates: 32°55′55″S 151°41′53″E / 32.932°S 151.698°E / -32.932; 151.698

Retrieved from ""