ACT Labor and Liberal politicians are of one mind when it comes to the future of a park in Chisholm. They both agree is should not be sold for redevelopment.

At 6am today, the Liberals made it an October election promise that the Chisholm block, at the corner of Heagney and Deamer Crescents would remain as a park with Deputy Opposition Leader and Member for Brindabella, Brendan Smyth, pictured, saying its retention reflects the community’s concerns, and the “we’ll ensure this valuable asset which has been a much-loved park for 30 years will stay that way.”

“The community’s voice has been very clear on the proposed sale and development of this block, which was explicitly identified for future development and placed on the land release program by the then-Liberal Government in 2000,” Ms Burch opined.

Obviously excited by the bipartisan love for the Chisholm park and inspired by the Liberal’s pre-dawn suggestion, she threw public consultation to the wind and promptly gave it a name.

“Given that next year marks the 175th anniversary of the arrival of Caroline Chisholm in Australia, it is appropriate that we name the park after that well-known Australian pioneer,” Ms Burch said.

“I understand that at a recent workshop, members of the Chisholm Community Park Committee made it clear that they were not against further residential development in their suburb, but would prefer to see it in alternative locations.

“As such, the ACT Government will work with Chisholm residents to find suitable alternative locations for residential development.”