Like Sydney’s
dams, the state coffers are in deep need of liquidity, but in light of the unprecedented
public purchases of private debt around the world, it is perhaps time to
question governments’ privatisation reflexes. The global financial crisis is
much more than monetary. It is a crisis of values.
The history of the ATP is a lesson in how society’s values
have changed. In the 1880s original thought and knowledge were valued for their
inherit worth, and Eveleigh was an important centre of steam technology
transfer.
Universities established the ATP to promote innovation and
excellence in the fields of science and technology. In more recent decades,
since knowledge has often been forced to justify itself in economic terms, the
site has become a publicly-owned business park and, now, it will soon be a privately-owned
investment.
ATP will be a business park. There is a valid question about
what happens to the University’s involvement on the site and if the innovation
activities which were initiated when it was a technology park will continue
long-term under a more general business park model.
Geoff Turnbull of REDWatch, and Guido Gouverneur of Wrought
Artworks (a blacksmithing business at ATP) are saddened to see examples of rare
Victorian-era steam technology left out to rust in the grounds of the park.
“Other cities would surely treasure this stuff,” says Mr
Gouverneur. “It can still be restored.”
“If this is how government is treating protected heritage
equipment under its control what will it do to stop a private operator
scrapping the remaining ATP heritage equipment after privatisation?” Mr
Turnbull asked.
Local Councillor, John McInerney, is concerned that
ATP will be sold without defined development restrictions, putting the area’s
heritage value at risk. Regardless of whether ATP is sold to Sydney University
or to other private hands, McInerney wants an agreed-upon master plan for
development.
Sydney City Council has objected to the current draft plan
on the grounds that it makes a mockery of the heritage buildings. The
privatisation itself has not come into question.
Source: South Sydney Herald December 2008