ownership after compulsory purchase for 24 million by the NSW Government. Caltex had planned to sell the site to the Walker Corporation for development of residential units. A legal dispute ensued over the amount paid for the purchase but an initial win by the developers was overturned by the NSW Court of Appeal. Significant community support for public ownership had occurred with the activist group "Save Ballast Point", which was formed in 1984, claiming to have in excess of 500 members. Current use Ballast Point Park is now owned by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and has been redeveloped into a public recreation space. The park was designed by the McGregor Coxall Landscape Architecture and Urban Design studio from Sydney. Ballast Point Park opened to the public on 11 July 2009. The opening was attended by local state member Verity Firth and NSW Premier Nathan Rees. The 16 million project included demolition and decontamination of the derelict industrial site with construction of steel stairways, recycled building rubble walls, artworks, shade structures, wind turbines and Australian native gardens. See also Thomas Sutcliffe Mort Dry Dock and Engineering Works References Bibliography Solling, M; Reynolds, P; Leichhardt: On the margins of the city, Allen & Unwin, 1997, . Lawrence, J; Warne, C; A Pictorial History of Balmain to Glebe, Kingsclear Books, 1995, . External links [CC-By-SA] Local History Collection, Leichhardt Council Parks in Sydney Urban public parks Birchgrove, New South Wales