Peninsula Community Access Edition 252
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8 November 2010
Council asks Minister to move substation Gosford Council will ask the Minister of Planning to investigate alternative sites for the proposed Energy Australia substation at Empire Bay.
Crematorium and cemetery proposed A cemetery and crematorium complex, which would accommodate up to 400 mourners and employ up to 20 people, has been proposed for the former
Andrews to stand down? The long-serving Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews is neither confirming nor denying that she will not be standing at the State election due in March. "I'm not prepared to say anything at this stage," said Ms Andrews. Ms Andrews has been a member of the Labor party since 1960 and has represented Gosford and its predecessor, the electorate of Peats, for 15 years. During her term, she has served on a number of parliamentary committees and is currently chair of the Committee on the Office of the Valuer-General, deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Public Works and a member of the Committee on Children and Young People. She has held a number of positions within the Labor Party including delegate to State Conference and member of Parliamentary Caucus Committees on Health, Education and Training, Fair Trading, Agriculture and Land and Water Conservation. Prior to entering parliament, she was private secretary to the NSW Branch Secretary of the Australian Railway Unions for 17 years. Kaitlin Watts, 6 Nov 2010 Interviewee: Marie Andrews
abattoir site at the bottom of Bulls Hill. Council has deferred a planning proposal submitted by Bulls Hill Developments to construct a cemetery and crematorium on Lot 1 and lots 173 and 183 on Woy Woy Rd. The proposal includes the construction of a crematorium complex comprising of four chapels linked to a central crematorium facility with a café, condolence lounges and an office. Parking would be provided for around 200 vehicles with 120 spaces provided in a sealed car park and an additional 80 parked cars on the crematorium internal road system.
The construction would also involve the upgrade of the intersection between the site access road and Woy Woy road. Cr Terri Latella and Cr Craig Doyle moved the matter be deferred for further information and consultation to ensure there is sufficient justification to proceed with the planning proposal, in view of potential environmental impacts on wetlands and the Coastal Open Space Strategy (COSS). Further investigation will also be taken in relation to impacts on road, transport and employment and any other issues that may further support the application. Council Agenda ENV.66 4 Nov 2010
Peninsula super clinic is possible, says O’Neill Interested parties have been invited to apply to establish a Southern Central Coast GP Super Clinic. While it had been assumed the clinic would be sited in Gosford, Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O’Neill said last week that applications from the Peninsula would be eligible. Ms O’Neill said she was “acutely aware of the health demands of the Peninsula and expects a super clinic to address those demands”. “GP Super Clinics bring together general practitioners, practice nurses, visiting medical specialists, allied health professionals and other health care providers to deliver integrated multi-disciplinary, primary health care services aimed at addressing the health care needs and priorities of local communities,” she said.
“These Clinics also provide an important site for training and education, giving medical, nursing and allied health students and GP registrars an opportunity to learn in a multidisciplinary setting.” Ms O’Neill said: “After campaigning hard for a GP Super Clinic during the election campaign, I’m excited that we are moving quickly to make it a reality. “The aim of the Clinic is to bring together health services across the Central Coast to improve access to those services. “Access to a doctor is a right not a privilege and a GP Super Clinic will go a long way towards meeting the pressing demand we have for health services here on the Coast,” said Ms O’Neill. Media release, 29 Oct 2010 Matt Pullford, Office of Deborah O’Neill
The action was taken on the motion of Cr Terri Latella, seconded by Cr Peter Freewater. Council has resolved to formally approach the Minister outlining both the community and Council’s concerns regarding the current proposal in relation to the substation at Empire Bay. The Minister will be asked to consider the community’s objection, a Land and Environment Court case and the proximity of the proposed site to Cockle Bay Reserve and protection of the wildlife corridor. In her notice of motion, Cr Latella stated that there were two sites within one kilometre of the current location which would be
both environmentally and socially less destructive. The first was Department of Education land on Maitland Bay Dr, Killcare Heights, a site which according to Cr Latella had maximum space to afford setback and screen. Vegetation removal would not be required and site works could be fully contained on site. The second location was at Lot 353 Empire Bay Dr, Bensville, which would provide maximum setback and screening opportunities. The site would not require any vegetation removal and has no Land and Environment Court orders over the site, according to Cr Latella. Supporting the motion, Cr Freewater said: “We need to stand up and show that we support our community.” Council Agenda NM.21 4 Nov 2010
Council rejects new Umina Mall plans Gosford Council has knocked back revised plans for the redevelopment of the Umina Mall shopping centre at the corner of Lone Pine Ave and Ocean Beach Rd. However, it has invited the applicant “to enter into negotiations to investigate the closure and acquire the laneways to allow their incorporation in any future development application”. SJH Planning and Design had asked the council to review its previous refusal of its application to construct a commercial retail and residential development on lots including 357-363 Ocean Beach Rd, 10-14 Lone Pine Ave and 1-7 Poziers Ave, Umina. In doing so, it submitted revised plans which reduced total floor area. The general store was reduced from 1437 square metres to 1025 square metres, about 200 square metres larger than the current general store at Umina Mall. The applicant claimed: “The refinements address the particular areas of concern in relation to the interface between this centre and the adjacent residential properties; the public domain; vehicular access and parking issues.” In addition to the general store,
the redevelopment would include one building containing seven specialty shops including a liquor store and loading dock. Another would consist of three specialty shops with offices, residences and medical centre above. The project would see the demolition of existing shops and a number of houses in Pozieres Ave and the construction of a new car park. A report on the revised plans by council staff stated that the applicant had addressed several issues, but two main concerns remained. These were a shortfall in parking and potential conflict between vehicles and pedestrians. “It is considered that noise issues have been generally addressed. “However, truck reversing manoeuvres might cause some inconvenience. “This could be addressed through a condition restricting times at which deliveries are made.” Cr Craig Doyle commented: “It’s overdue for a facelift and the people there deserve better than what they’ve currently got.” Council Agenda ENV 69 4 Nov 2010
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