The suggestion came from Friends of King Edward Park spokesperson Kim Ostinga.

“If a building has to go there, [the group] would like to see it complement Newcastle’s cultural scene – perhaps an art gallery,” Dr Ostinga said.

The group has been pushing for the Crown land to be returned to the community since the NSW Land and Environment Court handed down a ruling in May that quickly shelved plans for a 450-person function centre on the site.

The court ruled the Stronach Group’s development plans – approved by Newcastle council in 2011 – were not consistent with the reservation of the site for public recreation.

Any future development of the site would have to respect the court’s ruling and the site’s historical significance by being open to the public and not operated as a source of private profit.

Friends of King Edward Park’s preference is for the land to be maintained as open space, but Dr Ostinga said the community could also benefit from an art gallery to support the city’s budding artists, on a site with far-reaching coastal views.

However, the wire fence that was erected around the site about five years ago after the bowling club was demolished is still standing, more than six months after the ruling was handed down.

A state-appointed trust manages the site, yet it is overgrown with weeds.

The government has not yet offered any suggestions as to what may become of the site.

On November 11, member of the Legislative Council David Shoebridge put the question to Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water Niall Blair.

He asked the minister why the site was still fenced off.

Mr Blair said the department was considering the implications of the court’s ruling and future uses for the site.

“There continues to be significant public interest in the site and the Department of Primary Industries Lands is managing the site in the interim,” Mr Blair said.

“That is all the information I have.”