Peninsula Community Access Edition 363
News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940
9 March 2015
Council to expand Bullion St carpark Gosford Council has agreed to acquire and incorporate two house blocks into the adjacent Bullion St carpark in Umina. It will prepare a planning proposal to include the house sites in Alfred St and Bullion St in the land reservation acquisition map of Gosford LEP 2014 so the land can incorporated into the existing council car park. A report by planning staff to the council said that the proposal was recommended in a transport plan for the “Umina Beach Village Centre”, which had resulted from the Peninsula Urban Directions Strategy. According to the report, it was necessary to develop plans to
maximise the benefits this new development can bring to centres like the Umina commercial area. “Such plans have the aim of integrating building design, traffic management and public domain improvements; improving sustainability outcomes and achieving good quality community planning. “The goal is to provide attractive development and, importantly, the physical and commercial renewal of the centres.” The strategy “recommended the extension of the business zone that applied to the Umina Beach Village Centre”. “It was identified that the extension of the business zone would result in associated changes
to landuse patterns and the addition of floor space potential in the village which will alter the traffic and pedestrian usage patterns and levels within the centre. “Infrastructure changes were identified to accommodate the growth potential of the centre. “Council resolved to prepare a Transport Management and Accessibility Plan for the Umina Beach Village Centre.” The Plan recommended two properties, which adjoin the northern side of the large Council carpark located between Alfred St and Bullion St, be used for car parking purposes. Gosford Council Agenda GOV.15, 24 Feb 2015
Candidate forum held by environment network The Community Environment Network, together with the Total Environment Centre and Nature Conservation Council of NSW, held a candidates forum in Woy Woy on Wednesday, March 4.
The audience at the candidate forum in Woy Woy and (inset) some of the candidates
Around 60 people attended to hear the candidates and to ask questions. All lower house parties were represented with Kate da Costa and Doug Williamson representing the Greens, Jake Cassar attending as an independent, Kathy Smith and Jeff Sundstrom for Labor and Minister for the Environment Rob Stokes representing the Liberal party. Opening speakers included Gasfield Free Mountain Districts Committee co-convenor Mr Simon Perry who spoke on coal seam gas and protecting the Central Coast’s drinking water; and Nature Conservation Council of NSW CEO Ms Kate Smolski who also spoke on Planning Issues and the need for integrity
and community involvement in planning. Community Environment Network chairman Mr John Asquith chaired the forum. “The candidates responded to a range of questions on the environment and sustainability from the audience,” Mr Asquith said. “This included; coal and coal seam gas, planning, corruption, climate change, the Wallarah 2 mine and biodiversity. “Candidates provided thoughtful answers and we were very grateful for their attendance. “The biggest issue for the Community Environment Network is planning, as locally we see an increase in spot rezoning, which raises questions in regard to corruption and donations,” Mr Asquith said. Specific local issues such as council amalgamations, Bambara Rd in Brisbane Water National Park and freight rail noise at Koolewong were raised by locals. Media release, 5 Mar 2015 John Asquith, Community Environment Network
THIS ISSUE contains 53 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net