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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Height limited to three storeys

 

Over the past 18 months Gosford Council has been conducting an Urban Design Framework (UDF) study designed to get a better quality of development for the city.

Public meetings have been held so that the community has the opportunity to say what they like about the character of the areas in which they live and what kind of development they want in the future.

This process has been very successful with over 1500 people attending the meetings.

On the Peninsula, four public meetings were held and the community was very forthright in condemning development which is out of character with the existing low rise development of the local area.

The consensus was that people moved to the Peninsula because they liked the place and they want the characteristics which attracted them here in the first place to remain.

At the Tuesday, March 26, council meeting the character statements for the Peninsula came to council.

There were no height restrictions included in the statements, therefore it was possible for developers to seek approval for buildings not in keeping with the current height and scale.

Eight out of the 10 councillors, reacting to the community's determination to keep the village atmosphere already existing in each centre, resolved that a three-storey height limit be placed on the Umina and Ettalong CBDs and be included in the character statements.

This decision reflects the mood of the community, expressed constantly to councillors, and at public meetings across the Peninsula.

It is pleasing to note that at least eight councillors are listening to the community and voted accordingly.

Cr Lynne Bockholt, April 2