Council is aware of urban consolidation concerns: Bockholt
Gosford Council is very much aware of the feeling of dismay in the community over the increasing development being foisted upon our local area by the State Government's urban consolidation policy, says Councillor Lynne Bockholt.
The Peninsula is changing because of the amount of development, much of which takes place in unkerbed and unguttered streets which are totally unsuitable for an increased population, she said.
"We simply do not have the infrastructure to cope with all the extra people.
"Our roads cannot cope with the extra traffic and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find anywhere to park, particularly for commuters, where the trains are packed and the F3 is at bursting point.
Cr Bockholt said Gosford Council had petitioned the State Government on several occasions to allow changes to the draft Local Environment Plan (LEP).
She said the current LEP encouraged rampant development throughout the Central Coast but particularly on the Peninsula.
"Council has formulated a draft LEP which would allow two large residential flat buildings to be constructed on land zoned 2B with an area of 550 to 750sqm and three or more units could only be 'constructed on land over 750sqm," she said.
"Currently a developer can get three units on a 550sqm block where the building takes up most of the block leading to the cramped and badly designed development which is blighting the Peninsula.
"This plan is currently with the Minister and Council is hoping that he will approve it quickly so that we can at least stop some of the current rush to cover everything in 2B zones with concrete and bricks to the detriment of our local environment.
"This does not mean we are going back to the old dual occupancy policy where anyone could build a second dwelling anywhere.
"These will be proper flat buildings and will have to be designed and constructed as flat buildings, not just the tacky-add ons such as we saw in the dual occupancy debacle.
"I believe we should get better development with two larger flats on a block instead of cramped development of three or more.
"I also believe that if this policy is approved more developers may be encouraged to consolidate smaller blocks to ensure better development.
.