Gosford Central Community News
June 20, 2011
Your independent local newspaper
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Ph: 4325 7369
Issue 010
Council to request land ownership
Gosford residents receive OAMs he Gosford Community has been represented in the Queen’s Birthday 2011 Honours List, with three residents awarded the ultimate honour for their contribution to the public.
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Green Point resident Ms Judith Gifford has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the general division for service to nursing mothers through the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Dr Howard Bell of Gosford has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal, also, in the general division for his service to the community
Judith Gifford
through social justice and legal organisations. Gosford resident Mr Thomas Bagnat was awarded an Australian Public Service Medal for his “outstanding public service to the National Parks and Wildlife Service in New South Wales”. For the full stories see pages 3 and 5. Elyse Gunner and Kaitlin Watts, 17 Jun 2011
Dr Howard Bell
Discussions still progressing ember for Gosford Chris Holstein has advised that negotiations for the Bambara land in Kariong are still continuing.
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“Gosford City Council, who commenced discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the landowners, are still progressing,” said Mr Holstein. Mr Holstein reconfirmed that, should the current negotiations be unresolved, the Government would honour the election commitment to bring in a mediator. “Unfortunately, rumours are circulating and incorrect information is being put in to the public arena,” he said. “The commitment is still in place and all I need is
formal advice from Council that negotiations have been unsuccessful before further action can take place. “I am finding that these rumours are very distracting to those people who have a genuine care and a passion for preserving this land for public ownership, but they must understand that the negotiations are a matter between the two parties and that they will be conducted with due process and in due course,” Mr Holstein said. Media Release, 6 Jun 2011 Chris Holstein MP
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Aerial view of the land at Green Point
osford Council has resolved to send correspondence to the Minister for Roads and Ports and the Minister for the Central Coast requesting that the ownership of the RTA land at Green Point be transferred to Council ownership for inclusion in the COSS.
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According to Council’s report of Tuesday, June 7, Gosford Council received advice from the RTA that remaining bushland from the roadwork undertaken to widen Avoca Dr between Sun Valley Rd and Bayview Dr, Green Point, would not be transferred to Council despite Council’s previous understanding that it
would be transferred at the completion of the works at no cost to Council. The report states that the RTA have advised Council it can either agree to accepting care, control and management of the land or alternatively to purchase the land. Based on verbal and written communication with
the representatives of the RTA in 2010, Council had been of the understanding that the RTA had agreed to transfer the bushland adjacent to the new extension of Lakewood Ave to Council at no cost once the road construction project had been completed. Council said more recent correspondence, received
this year, has seen a change in the RTA’s position on the transfer of the land with the RTA requesting Council agree to accept care, control and management of the land, with the RTA retaining ownership. Council has refused both options proposed to them by the RTA and awaits a response from the ministers. Council Agenda CIT.8, 7 Jun 2011
Masterplan available for public viewing osford Council has placed the Masterplan for the Five Lands Coastal Walkway on public exhibition which will remain available for viewing until July 10.
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Gosford Council’s Project officer of Metro Greenspace Mr Chris Lear said the increasing popularity of the annual Five Lands Walk event highlighted the need to establish a permanent coastal walkway that is accessible to the community and visitors all year round. The permanent walking trail will connect the five coastal communities of MacMasters Beach, Copacabana, Avoca, North Avoca and Terrigal. It is expected to enhance the existing Open Space Network in the Gosford Local Government Area and create opportunities to
promote tourism within the region. After several successful community consultation meetings the comprehensive document provides a blueprint for an improved and integrated network of walking tracks linked to lookouts, viewing platforms, local communities and other key visitor sites. It is designed to guide the development of the walkway over the next 10 years. Mr Lear said that walkers will experience a diverse range of landscapes and terrain along the 10.5km journey.
“It provides a picturesque walk through some of the region’s most valuable natural assets including the Captain Cook Lookout at Copacabana, Cochrone Lagoon, a new bush trail to Winney Bay, Avoca Lagoon and the Terrigal Skillion. “Council will also investigate the use of downloadable mobile phone applications to provide walkers with up to date information about the trail and its attractions, ensuring the walk remains a low-tech experience while providing access to hightech information,” said Mr. Lear.
A copy of the draft Masterplan will be on public exhibition at Council’s Customer Service Centres at Gosford, Erina, Kincumber and Woy Woy, and on Council’s website. Any submissions regarding the draft Masterplan are to be received by the general manager by 5pm on Monday, July 25. Once endorsed by Council, the document will be used as a tool to source funding through various State and Federal Government Grants to undertake works identified in the Masterplan. Media Release, 9 Jun 2011 Gosford Council Media