The future of the park bounded by Lambert, Seymour, Rocket and Bentinck Streets was thrown into question in 2014 with the suggestion that it could be redeveloped as the site for a new cultural centre.

The Friends of Centennial Park was born, and remains busy promoting the benefits of preserving the park as a park. FOCP hosts a monthly game of boules (the next is on Sunday, March 11 at 4pm) as a way of socialising with other locals who love the park.

In the meantime, council engaged Integrated Design Group (IDG) to canvas community opinion and set out a range of options for the future of the park.

A community day was held in the park to gather information and visualise different options. It will be very interesting indeed to finally see this report. For FOCP, though, there is no wavering from a total commitment to keeping the area as a space for passive public recreation.

IN other news, the Bathurst Community Climate Action Network committee would like to congratulate Alexander Little, 7, and Brooklyn Cole, 11, who have won our Bat Night Colouring-in competition.

Alexander and Brooklyn each win a Zing gift voucher.

On that note, we still have grey headed flying foxes in the park, so if you haven’t been to see them hanging from the trees during the day, then head on down to Machattie Park.

IF you’re interested in how climate change is affecting ecosystems, you might like to attend an upcoming presentation by Professor Lesley Hughes from the Climate Council.

Dr Hughes was the lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth and Fifth Assessment Reports.

The presentation will be held over a light lunch at the Local Land Services building at 40 Corporation Avenue on Monday, March 12.

Places are limited and filling fast. To book, email bxclimateaction@gmail.com.