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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Mad scramble to placate ratepayers

 

Some of the council and community meetings I have attended lately have been enlightening, to say the least.

The seemingly mad political scramble council has made to placate those ratepayers who have suffered real damage to property value, the possibility of maladministration by Gosford Council and its guarded response on Tuesday, December 3, shows me that our 10 councillors may be aware of their liabilities under the Local Government Act 93.

They are responsible for council's rights and wrongs.

A suggestion, that the minutes of the meeting that preceded the six-minute special on footy night were not taken, is interesting,

Some of us in the community think even more questions need answering.

Our councillors stand to represent the residents of Gosford Local Government Area - an area that is constantly consulted on matters related to how we the people would like our community to go forward.

Generally long-time residents of these Central Coast communities know they need Local Environment Plans and Development Control Plans to define how building size and shape should be governed to our requirements.

What I have seen is the usual dollar-driven pressure to allow just a bit more, the constant bleating we need to make a profit.

All those businesses still plodding along in Mann St know what Erina Fair has done to Gosford.

I can't think of another place like Gosford jammed in a valley by a coastal lake.

No doubt our councillors will be able to name many places, other than Chatswood, nothing like Gosford actually except for the rail line through the middle maybe?

The thing is there is a height limit of, I think, eight floors.

The community was consulted just as it was in Ettalong, Umina and other places throughout the Central Coast.

What was the point of that expensive consultation if our councillors are not to follow the wishes of the people?

To hear councillors speak at the meeting of other developers waiting to spring higher developments on the people should be a warning.

Planning Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge would have considered the people's wishes as to height and style in recent years.

It is a matter of record that whatever the people want, it doesn't include a non-complying monstrosity.

This is a political decision first for our councillors and then for Andrew Refshauge.

Edward James, Umina