Voice Added To Fight

Newcastle Herald

Saturday March 10, 2007

By PAUL MAGUIRE

FORMER Blackbutt Reserve ranger Ray Raisbeck has joined the fight to stop the park's enclosed wildlife being removed under a Newcastle City Council cost-cutting option.

Mr Raisbeck said yesterday the animals were an integral part of the Blackbutt experience and it was time the council promoted the area as a unique educational, recreational destination for Hunter residents and tourists.

The Herald reported last week that Blackbutt's animals might go as part of proposed $2.5 million council expenditure cuts.

The council's draft 2007-08 budget calls for the removal of Blackbutt's animal enclosures or the introduction of an entry fee to make the reserve more self-funding.

Mr Raisbeck began working as the leading gardener at Blackbutt in 1965.

He began full-time at the reserve in 1967, began living on the site in 1970 and retired as Blackbutt's ranger in 1996.

Mr Raisbeck said many Hunter people had worked extremely hard over many years to keep the reserve open and have its animal enclosures upgraded.

He said opposition by residents in the 1970s and 1980s defeated several plans to remove the animal enclosures and a proposal to build a highway through part of the site.

"Its absurd that Blackbutt should be threatened again," Mr Raisbeck said.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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