Gosford Central Community News
February 14, 2011
Your independent local newspaper
Gosford welcomes free G bus service
Issue 004
Sensitive land may be lost
reens Councillor and Greens’ candidate for the seat of Gosford, Dr Peter Freewater said he is furious that Gosford Council is ignoring the wishes of the community with regard to the new
LEP.
“The outrageous decision to ignore calls for an environmental zoning for environmentally sensitive land is beyond arrogance,” he said. “Council called for comments on the draft LEP and received thousands of comments from the community demanding that these lands be given an environmental zoning to protect them from development. “In fact, Council received so many submissions that a special Council meeting was held to hear submissions on this issue from community groups across the region.
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3.05pm on Sundays. “Each bus is airconditioned and low to the floor so that mums with prams, the elderly and wheelchair users can get on and off easily. “This is a fantastic initiative that will deliver huge benefits to local residents and businesses in Gosford,” he said. Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrew joined local residents on the first ever run of Gosford’s free CBD loop bus on Monday, January 31. “All people need to do is keep an eye out for the green buses and bus stops, and then hop onboard,” said Ms Andrews. “This bus is in addition to 41 extra buses and 1500 extra bus services we’ve delivered for the Central Coast. “The NSW Government will increase the NSW bus fleet by 1000 buses by 2020, enabling us to continually improve bus services to
local communities like ours here in Gosford,” she said. Community campaigner for Gosford Ms Katie Smith also welcomed the announcement, saying that the new service was great news for Gosford and urged local residents to take advantage of the new free loop bus. “This new free loop bus will make it so much easier for pensioners and young families to get around town, visit friends at the Hospital, or pop down to the shops,” Ms Smith said. “This is really going to make travel around the Gosford’s city center faster and simpler. “It’s also a fantastic initiative because it’s free, meaning local residents getting around Gosford will have fewer transport costs and more money in their pocket,” she said. Media Release, 27 Jan 2011 Katie Smith, Labor
courses, caravan parks and restaurants. “Only myself and fellow Greens’ Councilor Terri Latella voted against the zoning. “We argued for an E2 zone that would protect the land into the future. “We also argued that we should include the sensitive land mapping that is already available. “These maps are upto-date and show exactly which endangered species are recorded for each block of land. Media release, 10 Feb 2011 Peter Freewater, Greens
Abuse of position claims rejected
ree loop shuttle buses have commenced operating around Gosford City every 20 minutes from Monday to Saturday and three services on Sundays.
The buses began operating around the Gosford CBD on Monday, January 31, following the unveiling at Gosford station the week before. The bright green free shuttle buses are provided by the NSW Government and allow easy to use, free public transport to the people of Gosford. NSW Parliamentary secretary for the Central Coast Mr David Harris said the free Gosford shuttle will give more people access to free public transport every day of the week. “This new free shuttle bus will better connect important facilities around town, including the train station, Gosford Hospital and the shops,” Mr Harris said. “The free bus will operate every 20 minutes throughout the day, between around 9:00am and 2.30pm weekdays, between 9.05am to 4.05pm on Saturdays and at 9.05am, 12.05pm and
“However, no review of these zonings was done because, apparently, it would involve a lot of effort and would delay the completion of the new LEP. “Just because such an important matter might take more time and more effort to get right doesn’t justify pushing through a bad piece of long-term planning. “The draft LEP that Council intends to forward to the State Government will go with the original recommendation to zone environmentally sensitive lands as recreational land, suitable for development as sporting venues, golf
abor candidate for Gosford has lodged a formal complaint with the general manager of Gosford Council, Mr Peter Wilson claiming that Liberal candidate for Gosford, Cr Chris Holstein, is abusing his position as a councillor and conducting election campaign meetings in council buildings and on council owned property.
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“To use council owned properties to conduct his election campaign meetings is just an arrogance and insult to the ratepayers as after twenty years as a councillor he should know better,” said Ms Smith. “It is also unacceptable that Cr Holstein abuses his position to instruct staff to investigate matters relevant to a State Election when he is the candidate. They are not on his payroll,” she said. Ms Smith has stated that no Gosford City councillor
should abuse their position as a councillor and be paid by the public purse while running as a candidate in the State Election. Cr Holstein has denied Ms Smith’s claims and said they are completely false. “This claim is totally untrue and ridiculous,” he said. “This Labor candidate is used to throwing mud. “I look forward to the results of an inquiry and will expect an apology from the Labor candidate,” said Cr
Holstein. “After 16-years of failing this community, the best Labor can do is fear and smear. “It’s the same old Labor and the same old tricks. “I’m focussing on fixing the problems that Labor has caused through its neglect of the people of Gosford. Media Release, 9 Feb 2011 Katie Smith, Labor Email, 11 Feb 2011 Chris Holstein, Liberal