A seemingly innocuous park bench is at the centre of a bizarre row in one Sydney suburb, with locals demanding its removal because it apparently encouraged “anti-social behaviour”.
The bench, installed in 2021 in St Ives, Sydney, aimed to unite the community but has led to an incredible two-year saga.
Originally painted rainbow, it was placed near a local library who wanted to create a space for parents and children to come to during the pandemic.
But after some backlash and concerns over the bench’s safety, Ku-ring-gai Council conducted an investigation and eventually moved to tear it down.
The removal of both benches reportedly cost the council $6000, leading to criticism from residents who deemed it a complete and utter waste of taxpayer funds.
The council conducted traffic and safety assessments, commissioned a risk assessment, and brought in a mediator for a community meeting.
Despite a majority of residents favouring the bench in a public survey, the council decided to remove it after weighing risks and benefits.
Councillor Martin Smith said the bench didn’t pose a threat to residents.
“There’s no risk,” he said.
“What message are we sending out to the community? That it’s ok if you scream loud enough? No matter what’s right or wrong, we’ll overturn that decision and make sure we get rid of it?”
“It’s not going to make any difference at all to the children that are already on the road. It will not eradicate that.
“All it’s going to do is give the opportunity for a person to sit there and maybe look after their children and quieten them down for the two neighbours that aren’t too happy about having children in the street.”
Councillor Christine Kay said the bench had caused too many problems and said it should be moved for “moral” reasons.
“Instead of creating harmony and inclusion it’s creating the complete opposite – it’s creating disunity. Morally, I feel the bench should be removed,” she said.
Co-founder of the Sydney YIMBY group Melissa Neighbour said the conundrum was just “another example of a vocal minority” getting a win.
“Councils are very good at responding to pressure from residents and this is another example of a vocal minority ending up having the loudest voice,” she said via Yahoo News.
“It highlights the way bureaucracy has gotten out of control in our country, and the layers of red tape that have just become nonsensical.”