A COUNCIL plan to build a new $3 million Murwillum- bah community centre in Knox Park is again under fire because it would be in a flood-prone area and block street views of the park.

The Murwillumbah Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association fears the people and equipment in the building will be put at risk, even though it would be built on a raised “island”.

The association has invited the council’s community and cultural services manger Gary Corbett to its next meeting on Monday week to explain the council’s plans.

Yesterday, as Knox park became soggy underfoot from continuous rain, the association’s president Robyn Lemaire ventured to the site of the proposed building on the western side of Knox Park beside Nullum Street

She said the council had told her the centre would be on a mound 800mm high because of the flood threat.

“There are a number of people who think this is not a good location for such a facility,” Ms Lemaire said.

“There are concerns for flooding and the little regard that is being held for those who are to use it.

“It will be an island unto itself before it goes under in a flood.

Ms Lemaire said during a planning study in 2007 the council placed “great emphasis on the views of the park from one end to the other for security reasons”.

But the planned building would “make the largest portion of the park invisible”.

She has called on residents to provide ideas for suitable locations for the centre at the association’s meeting in the Autumn Clubin Tumbulgum Road from 7.30pm on March 15.