Issue 021 of COAST Community News

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E E FR November 21, 2011

Your independent local newspaper

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Issue 021

Ph: 4325 7369

Legend (See www.duckscrossing.org/The_Landing/ The_Landing_-_an_alternative.pdf) 1. Working marina 2. Residential apartments 3. Road viaduct 4.Boutique hotel & convention space 5. Parking 6. 300 berth floating marina 7. Realign and enlarge underground stormwater 8. Expanded special event space 9. “The Cove”

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10. Westbound entry 11. Expanded Lions Park to include pool 12.Expanded marina and boat launching facilities 13. Existing cenotaph 14 & 15. Educational department precinct 16. Private sector office towers and hotel 17. Southern terminus

18. Tree lined boulevard 19. Expanded Kibble Park 20. Arts centre, civic centre and town hall 21. Bus, rail interchange eastside 22. Rail infrastructure 23. Air bridge 24. Car park 25. Northern termination 26. Expand showground

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The Landing - an alternative n alternative plan for the Gosford waterfront has been put forward by a group of concerned citizens including former long serving councillor Mr Malcolm Brooks.

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Mr Brooks said his group is not against development but the Gosford waterfront should be a “playground for the people, not a playpen for the rich”.

The plan has been created by a city planner, a developer, an architect and a civil engineer, all local people of some standing, said Mr Brooks.

“Our plan does away with the 500 plus apartments in five story residential buildings out into Brisbane Water,” said Mr Brooks. “Having them would

erect a concrete curtain along Dane Drive.” The plan put forward by Mr Brooks and his group involves a 200-300 floating berth marina with a boutique hotel, at a height no higher than the Brian McGowan Bridge.

The plan would also include retail and offices further into the CBD, similar to those in Chatswood. “Since we’ve announced this, business leaders, community organisations and individuals in the community are showing

increasing support for our plan and I believe our open space waterfront should be retained and not sold off to developers.” Kaitlin Watts, 18 Nov 2011 Interviewee: Malcolm Brooks

Gosford chamber reaffirms Landing support he Gosford City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc has reaffirmed its sound commitment and support of the Gosford City Masterplan and the official proposal for The Landing at Gosford currently being displayed.

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The past few weeks has seen the emergence of the “Save our Waterfront” action group in Gosford. The group, who criticized The Landing proposal and labeled it as a “playground for the rich” publicly stated that the waterfront plan offered was not a good option and urged people not to support it.

“Until recently, they presented as a group who were against progress and change having criticised the offered plans in the media, but not coming forward to identify themselves or offering any alternatives,” said Chamber president Mr Rod Dever. The group has since circulated a plan which,

according to Mr Dever, supports several of the key aspects of the original Landing proposal but seems flawed in many aspects. “I applaud these people for having such a strong passion and a public commitment to the future of the City of Gosford,” Mr. Dever said. “The plan, which has

been offered has been well constructed but simply does not stack up in terms of financial viability or practicality and poses greater environmental impact than any other seen to date.” In August last year, Gosford Council was awarded The RH Dougherty Award for Excellence in Communication, based on its community consultation and communication processes applied to the development of the “Our City – Our Destiny”

Masterplan. Mr Dever said the Landing at Gosford was designed in accordance with the Masterplan guidelines developed from this process and offers features and facilities for the whole community not just a select group. “The Gosford City Chamber of Commerce and Industry look forward seeing some work start and having development underway,” said Mr Dever.

“We cannot afford to continue to stall on these projects or they will never get traction or attract the funding and investment that is needed to have a city for the future” he said. Media Release, 14 Nov 2011 Rod Dever, Gosford City Chamber of Commerce and Industry

See more on The Landing on page 4


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