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February 13, 2012
Formerly Gosford Central Community News
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New policy regarding dogs
Chops and Cino playing in one of Council’s dog exercise areas Photo: Naomi Bridges
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osford Council is in the process of developing a Dogs in Open Spaces Strategy to replace its existing Dog Exercise Areas Policy.
The Strategy would aim to enhance the opportunities for exercising and enjoying dogs while protecting natural environments and
managing the impacts on users of open space areas such as beaches, parks, cycle ways and playgrounds.
It would involve extensive community engagement and Council would make online forums, surveys, workshops and
consultations widely available to the community. Gosford Council’s manager of open space and leisure services Mr Phil Moore said that the strategy would provide equitable directions for dog management in open space areas in the future. “We are encouraging all residents to get involved in our workshops and surveys to ensure the strategy is a balanced document that will meet the needs of our entire community. “With community input, this strategy will assist Council in continuing to provide functional, multipurpose open space that can be utilised fairly by all residents,” said Mr Moore. Community Engagement Workshops for the Strategy will be held in late February with further details being made available soon. Surveys are available on Council’s website or can be picked up from Council’s Customer Service Centres, Community Centres and Libraries. Media Release, 6 Feb 2012 Gosford Council Media
E. coli alert lifted osford Council, in conjunction with the Central Coast Public Health Unit, has lifted the boil water alert that has applied to the drinking water supply in Kariong and Mt Penang since Monday, February 6.
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Recent testing of drinking water quality in the Kariong area indicated that water being supplied through the reticulation system was compliant with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Kariong and Mt Penang residents are no longer required to boil their water before consumption and can consume water directly from the tap on their properties. Council has advised that there is no need for residents to flush their property’s water pipes. The water that has been
used in the property for non drinking purposes over the last day will have sufficiently flushed out any potentially contaminated water. Council has been unable to identify the cause of the E. coli at this stage, however, investigations are continuing. Chlorine concentrations in the area are now sufficient to prevent any reccurrence of E. coli. In response to the Kariong incident, Gosford Council undertook broader sampling of the Gosford water supply system. In house testing found
low levels of E. coli in two of the 25 reservoirs sampled, Mt Ettalong and Berrys Head Rd. Council immediately increased chlorination in both sites and has achieved the recommended levels of chlorine to protect the community. As a precautionary measure, and after consultation with the Central Coast Public Health Unit and the Ministry of Health, Gosford Council has embarked on a system wide program to increase chlorine levels throughout the drinking water distribution
system. Gosford Council said it would also increase its monitoring program to ensure the effectiveness of these actions. The results of monitoring will be shared with the Public Health Unit and the Gosford community. Council and the Public Health Unit advised there was no need for action by residents in relation to their drinking water supply. Council said some people may notice an increased taste and odour of chlorine over the next few days but it is not a health concern. Media Release, 8 Feb 2012 Gosford Council Media
Ph: 4325 7369
Issue 026
Council approves units despite breaches osford Council has granted consent to the demolition of two existing houses in John Whiteway Dr, Gosford, and the construction of a residential flat building which would contain 41 units.
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The unit would consist of eight one bedroom units, 27 two bedroom units and six three bedroom units on six to seven levels above the basement car parking. The proposal provides for four levels of basement car parking for 70 cars, bicycle storage and waste storage. Gosford Council approved the development, despite a breach of the 18 metre height control. The applicant stated that three of the units were potentially outside the height control due to the difficult site levels and sloping ground. Council’s report, dated Tuesday, February 7, stated that strict application of the
standard was unreasonable given the severe slope of the site and particularly where the aim of the control had been achieved which was to create a six storey building. “In our opinion, there are sufficient planning grounds to warrant a relaxation of the 18 metre height development standard. “Strict application of the control does not lead to a better planning outcome. “Each site must be considered on its own merit and in this instance there are significant site constraints to warrant a relaxation of the control.” Gosford Council Agenda ENV.3, 7 Feb 2012