Gosford Central Community News
May 23, 2011
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Holstein seeks resolution
Issue 008
Local members urge government over F3 link ember for Gosford Ms Deborah O’Neill and member for Dobell Mr Craig Thomson have challenged the newlyelected NSW Liberal Government to match Federal Labor’s commitment to the future of the F3-Sydney Orbital link.
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ember for Gosford Cr Chris Holstein has announced that a mediator from the State Property Authority will be made available to seek a resolution that could lead to the voluntary acquisition of the land in question at Bambara Rd, predicted on the current discussions between Gosford Council and the national Parks and Wildlife Service.
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“We anticipate that the mediator will then be briefed to outline the scope of the project and the services that may be required,” said Cr Holstein. Should it be required, those parties with a financial interest will all be consulted
initially by the mediator including those who own the land and those who have an interest in its purchase, such as Gosford Council, National Parks and Wildlife and the Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council. Former Independent
candidate Mr Jake Cassar has thanked all that supported the marathon sit in protest and said the camp is now packing up. “This camp been strongest action against unreasonable development I have seen on Central
Coast,” he said. “We have survived much slander, abuse, violent attacks on camp i.e bottles, rocks etc thrown at us at night. “It was all well worth it for Bambara. “Campaign doesn’t end until Bambara is finally National Park.” Media Release, 16 May 2011 Chris Holstein, Member for Gosford
One hundred and fifty million in federal funding for a feasibility study on the longhoped for “missing link” was deferred until 2015-16 in last week’s Federal Budget, after years of inaction at state level to progress the project. However, on a visit to Terrigal on Sunday, May 15, the Treasurer Wayne Swan said the Federal Government would seriously consider any plans put forward by the NSW Liberal Government. “The fact is, the previous State Labor Government and the current Liberal Government haven’t faced up to what their priorities are. “The funds have been sitting there, but it hasn’t been going anywhere,” Mr Swan told a function at Terrigal. “If they want to come forward with a proposal then we will seriously look at it, and in addition to that, we’ll be happy to arrange for them to talk to Infrastructure Australia… but in Parliament last week, the current State Government said that they hadn’t made up their minds about what their priorities were. “Well they ought to make up their mind pretty soon, because I think it’s a really important project,” said Mr Swan. Ms O’Neill and Mr Thomson welcomed the Treasurer’s frank words and said the ball was now
squarely in the NSW Liberals’ court. “Chris Hartcher and co. are in Government now. They are the ones with the power to allocate funding and resources,” said Ms O’Neill. “At present, they’ve contributed nothing. Mr Swan has told them to come forward with a proposal. “Let’s see if Hartcher and co can actually come up with the goods,” said Ms O’Neill. Mr Thomson said the NSW Liberals had a long way to travel before they could match Federal Labor’s economic record on the Central Coast. “Recent research into the Central Coast economy has proven that Federal Labor’s stimulus spending saved many local jobs and businesses while delivering important local infrastructure,” said Mr Thomson. “In last week’s, Budget we took that a step further by setting ourselves on the path of creating 500,000 new jobs. “As the days tick by we are still waiting for this new State Government to spell out its vision for the Central Coast,” said Ms O’Neill. Media Release, 15 May 2011 Matt Pulford, Office of Deborah O’Neill MP
Rental costs increase homeless numbers he shortage of affordable rental properties and the rising cost of living has lead to an alarming increase in the number of homeless families on the Central Coast said Coast Shelter CEO Mr Laurie Maher.
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“Recent surveys by Anglicare and Wesley Mission have identified the lack of rental properties for those on low fixed income and the problem is getting worse day by day,” said Mr Maher. The Anglicare Australia Rental Affordability Snapshot identified that of the 689 Central Coast properties advertised for
rent on April 9 only 6 per cent (46) were affordable for people on fixed incomes. Mr Maher said this meant that for our population of 297,956, 94 per cent of rental properties, if accepted, would put families and individuals in housing stress, where they would have to spend at least 30 per cent of their income on rent.
“There were quite a number of areas within our community where the situation is much worse,” he said. “In some areas of particular need some of our families would have to spend 50 to 60 per cent of their household income just on rents. “In a community in which the waiting list for Public
Housing is between 12 and 15 years, it is no wonder that charities are being inundated with requests for assistance. “Although our unemployment statistics can be very misleading, even by the most generous interpretation of the unemployment rate of 7.1 per cent, it is one of the highest in the greater Metropolitan Area,” said Mr Maher. “When we take into consideration the overall shortage of affordable
rental properties, the lack of public transport and a median wage rate, which is $111 less than Sydney for individuals and $269 less for families, no wonder the problem is increasing, rather than getting better.” Australian Council of Social Service representative Dr Cassandra Goldie said “more people are hitting hard times and falling into poverty”. Mr Maher said that although Coast Shelter has been able to increase the level of support as a result of
the assistance provided by local business, community donations and a wonderful band of volunteers, housing is still the most significant need in our community. “If the Governments would focus on addressing housing needs, most of our problems would fade away,” he concluded. Media Release, 6 May 2011 Laurie Maher, Coast Shelter