Blackbutt Ready For Restoration
Sun Herald
Sunday April 27, 2008
ONE of Newcastle's major recreational parks is finally emerging from the devastation of last year's June long-weekend storms.
New Lambton Heights' Blackbutt Reserve was shut down after animal shelters and public amenities were destroyed and walking paths either washed away or blocked by 500 fallen trees and debris.Newcastle City Council's insurers have given the go-ahead for the restoration to proceed, a council spokeswoman said.Nearly $100,000 is to be spent replacing damaged fencing surrounding the wildlife enclosures."Adequate fencing is critical to protect the wildlife at the reserve," the spokeswoman said. "The council has just awarded the tender to replace the fencing to a contractor and work is expected to start shortly."The second stage of the project involves restoration of the aviaries, which were destroyed by wind or falling trees.Rainbow lorikeets, king parrots and musk lorikeets worth nearly $10,000 escaped from their cages.The council is talking to architects about modifying the original design of the four damaged enclosures. Once modifications have been made to the design, tenders will be called for the construction work.
© 2008 Sun Herald