Peninsula Community Access Edition 298
News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940
20 August 2012
Peninsula Ward for Gosford Council? The Peninsula would be guaranteed representation in Gosford Council with the adoption of a ward system, if the Central Coast First group gets its way. Announcing the group’s policies for the September council elections, Mr Ian Kilpatrick said that Central Coast First was committed to “fair representation of sub-regions” within the Gosford local government area, with “the creation of wards in Gosford Council”. Mr Kilpatrick said both he and his number two candidate, Ettalong resident Daryl Lynch, were particularly concerned about past Council commitment to the Peninsula. “The Peninsula has been forgotten by Gosford Council for far too long,” said Mr Kilpatrick. “We need to see funding committed to improve local roads, kerbing, guttering and drainage.
“Central Coast First is committed to ensuring that the Peninsula receives its fair share of funding.” If elected to council, Mr Kilpatrick said Central Coast First would implement management plans for Ettalong and Umina beaches, improve local infrastructure, develop entertainment venues for Ettalong, Umina and Woy Woy and encourage local business. Mr Kilpatrick said the team was focused on jobs, equity for the Peninsula and would have a “can do” attitude in Council. “Central Coast First is a coalition of independent Coast residents and business owners, nonaligned to the major political parties or vested interest groups,” said Mr Kilpatrick. “Central Coast First is committed to building a brighter future for the Coast through increased local employment opportunities, while preserving and promoting the Coast lifestyle.
“We have a strong team of local residents and business owners, who live in the area, have families in the area and understand the challenges faced by Coast residents. “We represent the entire Coast with representatives from the Peninsula to Somersby. “We are committed to meeting and consulting with the community so that when we get to Council we can get straight to work addressing the issues that really matter,” he said. Mr Kilpatrick said that Central Coast First was committed to ensuring the provision of a wide range of recreational, social and educational facilities, including a university campus in the Gosford Council precinct; job opportunities; and the provision of appropriate services and recreational facilities for the retired and aged. Media Release, 16 Aug 2012 Ian Kilpatrick, Central Coast First
Daryl Lynch and Ian Kilpatrick,
‘Option two’ adopted for Woy Woy wharf Gosford Council has adopted a design for the upgrade of the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf. The council adopted “option two” at its August 7 meeting, after considering five submissions and discussion from specialist council offers. Council was told that the option offered advantages to local recreational boat owners and fishermen. It had an increased mooring area on the floating pontoon and foreshore wharf-boardwalk, and an increased fishing area away from the commercial and high pedestrian traffic areas. It also had the ability to add further moorings to floating pontoon at the western end similar to “option one” if required in the future. It also separated passenger and commercial vessels to the eastern end of the proposed pontoon and existing commercial wharf.
The option was one of three that were advertised for public comment after the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf Concept Report was presented to the council last December. The report was prepared after a public meeting was held to gather information and to assess the needs of the boating and general community. A vessel usage investigation
was also undertaken of craft and persons using the wharf. The study was undertaken with a dollar-for-dollar grant funding from NSW Maritime under the 2009-10 Better Boating Program. The council is now investigating funding opportunities for the design and construction of Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf in accordance with option two. At the meeting, the council also
decided to impose a levy of $7000 per year per wharf on vessels with a capacity of 120 passengers or more. Scenic and tourist cruises that picked up and dropped off passengers from the same wharf would be exempt. Gosford Labor Crs Jim Macfadyen and Vicki Scott proposed the motion on the basis that it “would deliver upgrades
to wharves on the Peninsula, particularly the commuter facilities at Ettalong and Wagstaffe”. “This is a similar levy to what is imposed by Pittwater Council,” said Cr Macfadyen. “Up until this point, Gosford hasn’t received any income for the heavy use of our wharves by private operators. “At the same time, Council has been incurring expenses year after year for upkeep and maintenance. “The funds raised will be quarantined for wharf upgrades across the city. “Top of the list for improvement will be the commuter wharves at Ettalong and Wagstaffe. “Once the levy is implemented, there will be discussions with the local communities and ferry commuters about what upgrades are needed,” said Cr Macfadyen. Gosford Council Agenda CIT.34, 7 Aug 2012 Email, 9 Aug 2012 Jim Macfadyen, Gosford Council
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