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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc
Houses may go for 'open space'
Gosford Council has written to a number of Peninsula residents indicating their properties may be acquired for "open space" as they come onto the market.
The letters have been sent out in conjunction with the release of the Peninsula Open Space and Recreation plan, "Section 94 Contributions Plan 31C Amendment 1".
The plan is currently on display for public comment until December 18.
A total of 8.45 hectares would be purchased at an estimated cost of $28 million.
The plan states that council wishes to acquire "land to increase the open space area of the proposed Aquatic and Leisure Centre at Woy Woy".
"This will provide an improved site for the proposed regional facility and existing playing fields at James Browne Oval, creating a true leisure precinct.
"Acquisition of additional land will allow greater flexibility in planning for the ongoing development of these active recreation facilities.
The Council plans also look to gain "land to extend the recreation opportunities at Lemon Grove Reserve at Ettalong".
"Additional land will enable improved operation of netball, as well as providing a local park with improved family recreation facilities.
The plan also proposes to acquire "land to increase the size of Florida Ave reserve at Woy Woy in order to provide a sub-regional scale children's play facility to serve the western sector of the Peninsula."
One resident of the affected houses adjoining the Lemon Grove Reserve, Mr David White, said: "It is completely outrageous what council is considering there.
"That's those people's home.
"There's a lot of them that have nowhere else to go.
"There are a lot of elderly people living there who are retirees.
"They don't want to move at that time of their life.
"They want to stay there.
"Even thinking of this proposal has put a lot of residents in shock," Mr White said.
It is expected that the residents will put together a petition to council asking that the plan should not go ahead.
Copies of the plan giving details including maps are available from Woy Woy library.
Jonathan Reichard, November 14