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PAPER INC Print Post Approved PP255003/04388 16 July 2002
Ferry wharf gets government Gosford Council has been granted $4.3 million by the NSW Government to build a new ferry wharf and terminal at Ettalong to service a high-speed ferry.
Demolition could not be approved for this house at 199 Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy
Nursing complex put on hold Gosford Council has put the development of a five-unit self-care nursing home complex in Woy Woy on hold because it includes demolition. The council will await the outcome of inquiries into the council's ability to allow demolition of structures to make way for development. The concern follows the recent
ruling on the demolition of the Ferry Master's Cottage in Wagstaffe where council lost the case because demolition was not permitted under the planning scheme. The nursing home was to be on the western side of Blackwall Rd between Allfield Rd and Farnell Rd. Cr Lynne Bockholt objected to the style of the buildings.
"I'm not supporting this development because it is a bad design. "We could get the design much better than this," she said. The majority of councillors voted to defer the development until the council's legal position regarding demolition was known. Jonathan Reichard, Council agenda DH.083, July 2
Transport Minister Mr Carl Scully said the grant had been approved on the condition that Fast Ships Ltd were able to demonstrate their capability to commence a service between the Central Coast and Circular Quay. "The management of the grant to Council and the implementation of services by Fast Ships will be overseen by Transport NSW," Mr Scully said. "The approval of this grant builds on the Government's public support for public infrastructure to promote a safe, fast commuter ferry service from the Central coast to Sydney's CBD." The proposal is for a highspeed ferry service from Ettalong beach to Circular Quay. F as t Sh ips Lim it e d is proposing six return ships per day, with a 55-metre catamaran carrying 403 passengers. The time for the trip will be approximately one hour. "This is an exciting proposal that will provide the dual benefit of giving commuters more
transport options, while also providing another avenue for tourists to visit the Central Coast," Mr Scully said. "The NSW Government is supportive of any public transport proposal that increases the opportunities for the people on the Central Coast to access Sydney for employment and recreation. Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews welcomed the condition set by the State Government for the commencement of a due diligence process to ensure the ferry service was viable. "I am pleased that I have been able to guarantee that a due diligence process takes place," she said. "This will make certain that the funds will only be spent if the proponents of the ferry service are able to demonstrate to Government their financial capability to commence services. "I am also pleased that the Government is providing a conditional grant to Gosford Council, rather than going guarantor to a private company," Ms Andrews said. The proposal for the wharf includes the provision of waiting areas, a café, toilet facilities and an information kiosk. REACTION, see page 7. Press release, July 1
IOOF residents reject $250,000 management fee Residents of the IOOF Homes Centre at Ettalong have rejected a proposed $250,000 management fee, as a ploy by IOOF to close down the centre. Residents successfully sought State Government intervention last year when they learnt of plans by IOOF to sell up the centre for redevelopment. A meeting of residents at the centre on Wednesday, July 10, rejected a statement of proposed expenditure prepared by the IOOF Friendly Society which showed a $290,000 deficit. The annual statement of proposed expenditure was provided to residents of the
centre, outlining how the income from rents would be spent in the coming financial year. Had they approved the statement, residents believed they would be expected to cover the deficit on top of their rents. Members of the residents' committee blamed the deficit on the $250,000 management fee made by the IOOF Friendly Society, $5000 maintenance costs and $15,600 for the Vital Call emergency call system. These were among several items not approved by residents at a vote on May 22. The residents will be asked to vote again this month on the proposed expenditure plan.
Residents' committee secretary Mr Jack Cleere said that he did not believe it could cost so much to run the Homes Centre. “The management fee is excessive,” he said. “Residents are also asked to pay for the Vital Call system which includes the cost of running the system in empty units. “We now have to pay for maintenance when they haven’t done anything for years,” he said IOOF chief executive Mr Hugh Quelch said he did not understand why residents were so concerned over the management fee. “It is a fee which would be appropriate to the centre, but it is
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not charged unless it is approved in the budget,” he said. He said that other expenditure was still a matter under negotiation. “It would be inappropriate to comment at this time.” Mr Quelch declined to comment on what action would be taken should residents reject the expenditure a second time. “W e don’t comment on hypothetical issues,” he said. Mr Cleere said that this action by IOOF was “just another ploy”. “The management can’t afford to run the centre because there aren’t enough people here,” he said. Mr Cleere said that he believed
that apartments left empty should be filled to generate income for the IOOF Homes Centre. “There are so many needing accommodation, it is criminal to leave them empty,” he said. Mr Quelch said that action was going to be taken with the units. “At an appropriate time, we will be looking to fill those properties after appropriate modification,” he said. Mr Quelch said that this modification could be refurbishment or reconstruction. “That depends on what type of modification is appropriate,” he said. Alison Branley, July 12