Peninsula Community Access Edition 300
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17 September 2012
Liberals dominate at council election Gosford Council is likely to comprise four Liberal councillors, two Labor, one Green, two Team McKinna and one Doyle Independent, if preferences fall as expected. Central Coast First and the Greens were the big losers. Once having two councillors, including last year’s mayor Cr Laurie Maher, Central Coast First look unlikely to retain any seats. It gained only 52 per cent of the number of votes required for a councillor to be elected in his own right. The Greens suffered a swing away from them of 4.4 per cent, down to 10.4 per cent of the vote, and will lose one of their two seats on the previous council. The Liberals retained most of the personal following that Cr Chris Holstein brought with him when he joined the party at the last election, dropping only one per cent. Elected as Member for Gosford in the State election, Mr Holstein did not contest the council elections this year. Labor and the independents
Jeff Strickson, Deanna Bocking, Bob Ward, Robert Stephen, Adam Crouch and Chris Burke. picked up the swing to them of 2.7 per cent apiece. The Liberal Party received a quota of 3.84 on first preference votes, meaning that sitting
councillors Jeff Strickson and Chris Burke and new candidate Bob Ward were elected in their own right. The Labor Party received a
Comment sought on new camping fees Comment will be sought on new fees and charges for the Patonga Camping Area for a period of 28 days. If no “sustainable objections” are received, the new fees will be adopted. Gosford Council has proposed that the charges go up to $44 per night for the powered sites from $31 per night and to $35 for unpowered from $24.50 per night. A report from staff to the council meeting of Tuesday, September
4, said weekends at the Patonga Camping Area were often fully booked from September through to the end of April every year. Under the current fees and charges, these weekends fall into the “shoulder tariff” period excluding long weekends, NSW School holidays and the peak period from December 1 to January 31. According to acting director of city services Mr Peter Armour, the camping area was at capacity during these weekends, and
additional resources were required including security on a Friday and Saturday night and additional staff. The resources and services being provided were consistent with those being provided during “peak tariff” times, he said. “The current rates charged for the shoulder rate period do not cover the costs involved with the additional services required,” Mr Armour said. Gosford Council Agenda CIT.39, 4 Sep 2012
quota of 2.32 first preference votes, meaning that sitting councillors Jim Macfadyen and Vicki Scott were re-elected. Team McKinna gained a quota
of 2.21, meaning that Lawrie McKinna and Gabby Bowles were elected. With a quota of only 1.14, the Greens will lose a seat to only retain one seat on council, with Hillary Morris elected. Sitting councillor Craig Doyle, with a quota of 0.77, is expected to benefit from Central Coast First preferences to get him across the line. The Liberals are expected to pick up the final council seat on preferences. None of the elected councillors lives on the Peninsula, with Jeff Strickson at St Huberts Island, Deanna Bocking at Killcare and Jim Macfadyen at Pretty Beach being the closest. Counting for the Gosford Council election was still underway as Peninsula News went to press on Friday and results may be subject to change. The poll was not expected to be declared until Saturday. Website, 14 Sep 2012 NSW Electoral Commission
Railway St to be B-double route Gosford Council will arrange for advertisement in the Government Gazette to proclaim a B-double semitrailer route for Railway St, Woy Woy, from Charlton St to Nagari Rd to the Woy Woy tip entrance. A request was received by Council from Viking Waste Pty Ltd that a B-Double route to the Woy Woy tip be established. The proposed route satisfied the route assessment guidelines for B-Doubles for land and shoulder widths and swept path requirements.
A trial run was carried out and was witnessed by representatives from Council, Roads and Maritime Services and NSW Police. The consensus from those representatives was that the route be approved. According to Gosford Council’s Local Traffic Committee report of Monday, August 6, the route would reduce heavy vehicle movements throughout the day, reduce fuel consumption and pollution for the movement of freight and be more efficient. Gosford Council Agenda TR.12.39, 4 Sep 2012
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