Peninsula Community Access Edition 234
News Phone 4344 1844 Fax 4344 1944
22 February 2010
Peninsula may have 3500 illegal homes Gosford Council has admitted that there may be as many as 3500 illegal backyard homes on the Peninsula. Council’s manager of education and compliance Mr John Parkes said he could not confirm the figure provided to Peninsula News by local real estate agents. “Realistically we have no idea,” he said. “Council is aware of the high number of properties in the Gosford Local Government Area with unauthorised additional dwellings whether that is unapproved conversions to existing houses or stand alone dwellings such as granny flats,” Mr Parkes said. “Unfortunately the problem has grown over the years but I wouldn’t try and put a number on how many there are.” Mr Parkes encouraged local property owners with an unauthorised additional dwelling to seek development consent. The situation came to light after the Council recently received publicity while attempting to evict a woman who had converted a backyard garage into a home.
Mr Parkes said when council was advised of an unauthorised structure by staff or community members it was obliged to investigate. “After an initial inspection of the site is carried out and the structure is deemed to be unauthorised, council officers serve a notice of intention for the building to be vacated or reconverted to its original use if permitted. “The owner has the option of complying or can seek to lodge a development application to regularise use of the premise. “It is likely if the structure is well-built and follows amenity and construction requirements council can consider approving the dwelling. “In some cases a seven year building certificate can be issued when a structure has been approved by council but the authorised dwelling is not being used as stated in the development application. “For example, council approved a garage to be built but it has been used as an additional dwelling.” Mr Parkes said he understood
Council applies for water licence Gosford Council has applied for an extension of its test production licence for Woy Woy bore field, according to council’s manager of asset management and planning Ms Pam McCan. Ms McCan said council was currently operating Woy Woy and Narara bore fields under a test production licence and had submitted an application for an additional 18 to 24 month licence to the NSW Office of Water. “Council continues to monitor the aquifer levels and total dissolved solids (TDS) levels under this agreement,” Ms McCan said. “Interim reports have been provided to NSW Office of Water to date with further monitoring and data required. “The ongoing performance of the aquifer is to be closely monitored by both council and the NSW Office of Water for changing characteristics such as sea level rise. “Any changing nature of the
aquifer could affect the extraction limits and water quality of the groundwater. “Council will ensure compliance with any subsequent changes to the licence requirements. “In addition, council ensures drinking water provided from the aquifer complies with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.” Council’s acting director of environment and planning Mr John Parkes said council were continually monitoring salinity in water table to track movement of salinity due to a sea level rise or drop in aquifer. “Continually testing for evidence of an elevation in levels of sea water,” Mr Parkes said. “If evidence begins to show an elevation in levels we will be in immediate contact with the NSW Office of Water.” Media statement, 17 Feb 2010 Pam McCan, Gosford Council Clare Graham, 3 Feb 2010 Interviewee: John Parkes, Gosford Council
THIS ISSUE contains 57 articles
the angst of property owners who had an unauthorised dwelling but said council was willing to work together to see a suitable outcome. “The fear of the unknown and the potential outcome of having an unauthorised dwelling demolished is a reasonable issue for property owners,” Mr Parkes said. “However, the NSW Government’s new State Environmental Planning Policy on Affordable Housing encourages additional dwellings in order to meet the needs of our growing population. “This is an effective policy in assisting younger generations and disadvantaged people to find affordable homes. “But the policy cannot be effective if the additional dwelling is not well built in the first place. “Council will continue to deal with individual unauthorised additional dwellings as they are brought to our attention.” Clare Graham, 16 Feb 2010 Interview: John Parkes, Gosford Council
The NSW Department of Planning’s Environment Planning Policy supports affordable housing and approved secondary dwellings eg: internal conversion (top) and rear yard addition (bottom)
Council ceases chemical clean-out Gosford Council has announced it will not hold a household chemical cleanout day on the Peninsula next month blaming State Government funding cuts. The government department responsible has denied funding to the program has been cut. Council’s manager of waste and emergency services Mr Robin Benson said the program was an “expensive exercise” for council at a cost of $100,000 to hold two clean out days per year. “Essentially council funded the chemical clean out program which was heavily dependent on indirect subsidies from the State Government,” Mr Benson said. “The State Government informed council in August last year that it had changed the rules.” However, a spokesperson for the Department of Environment Climate Change and Water said it had provided funding of $25,000 to the Central Coast region to facilitate the Household Chemical Cleanout program since 2008. “The Department of
Environment, Climate Change and Water has provided funding of $150,000 to the Central Coast region since 2002-03 to facilitate the Household Chemical Cleanout program,” the spokesperson said. “This includes annual payments of $20,000 until 2007 and $25,000 per annum thereafter. “The Department is not cancelling this funding and will continue to provide funds to both Gosford and Wyong Councils to ensure that this important program can continue. “Last year the Household Chemical Cleanout program collected more than 800 tonnes of waste across NSW with the top three items collected being paints, oils and batteries. “Since the program began in March, 2003, almost 4500 tonnes of household hazardous waste has been collected.” Mr Benson said the council was planning to hold a chemical clean out day in late August to give ratepayers the opportunity to dispose of household chemicals efficiently and effectively. It is expected this collection will
be held at Council’s Erina depot. He said in the past council, in conjunction with Wyong Shire Council, held two chemical clean out days per year. He encouraged local ratepayers to use existing measures in place at Woy Woy and Kincumber landfills. “While council will not be holding a clean out day until later in the year, it is important for local residents to be reminded of the opportunity to dispose of unwanted items including motor oil at Woy Woy and Kincumber landfills,” Mr Benson said. “Motor oil can be disposed of at either of council’s landfill facilities seven days a week while gas bottles can be accepted as waste for a small fee of $2.20 per bottle. “Vehicle batteries can also be disposed of at Woy Woy and Kincumber landfills at no charge to local residents.” Clare Graham, 16 Feb 2010 Interviewee: Robin Benson, Gosford Council Media statement, 18 Feb 2010 Emma Peterson, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water
Read more at www.peninsulanews.info