Councillors ask plenty of questions to officers
Some recent Questions Without Notice:
"When is the Woy Woy Road upgrade near Staples Lookout going to be finished?" (Cr Preece).
Answer: ''The construction has been halted pending a further application for funding."
Note: $100,000 of the funds allocated to Woy Woy Road were reallocated to another project by Council.
Why is South Woy Woy Progress Association Hall rated as Business Ordinary?
Why do community centres have to pay rates? (Cr Bockholt).
Answer: Any land that js not residential or farm land is categorised as business.
Council assists by paying 60 per cent of the rates.
Note: Council has allocated $7700 to upgrade the kitchen at South Woy Woy Hall and $340 ;or sign writing and maintenance at Umina Community Hall.
The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Ocean Beach Road and Railway Street - where will funding come from? (Cr Bockholt)
Answer: Discussions are being held with the RTA to change the priority for construction from 2002/03 to 2000/01.
Booker Bay Waterfront Land
A Development Application has been received by Council to construct a dwelling addition to a property affected by accretion (expansion) due to a change in the Mean High Water Mark.
There are conflicting views on the rights of landowners whose property has one boundary defined as "mean high water mark".
The legal opinion concludes that where a boundary is defined by a natural feature, in this case mean high water main the boundary is where mean high water mark is at any particular time.
In relation to zoning, there is a view that the zoning boundary does not move with the property boundary redefined as a result of the changing position of the mean high water mark.
Using these arguments it is possible to have a block of land that has one part zoned under one zoning and the other part zoned under a different zoning.
In the case of the block of land in question, the newly-accreted section of the property was not zoned at all.
This can present problems when it comes to development.
Council decided to treat the whole block of land as being under the one zone.
Council's Attitude to Development
Councillors are increasingly stating during debate that they wish to encourage "quality development" and are desirous of encouraging a reduction in" the overall density of development.
Most developers are attempting to meet these guidelines and are prepared to negotiate with Council staff on "sticking points".
A small percentage, however, are not prepared , for one reason or another, to do this.
These are the applications that come to Council for consideration.
Some developers, in addressing Council, make explicit threats to take their case to the Land and Environment Court, usually with a minimum cost to Council, even if it wins, of approximately $20,000.
Councillors have tended to vote according to their principles and not be intimidated by such threats.
Woy Woy CBD Committee
The Woy Woy CBD Committee is very happy with its progress and achievements in 1999.
Pelican Park is now open but some form of sealed surface is required on paving to prevent permanent staining.
Ash trays are to be installed.
The provision of bigger bins is to be investigated.
The Manager - Recreation has advised that the area is to be maintained twice a day.
Heather McKenzie, John Oakley and Merve Clayton met with John Hannan from NSW Fisheries in relation to the cleaning of the Woy Woy Pool.
Approval in principle was given verbally and Council officers are organising tenders for this work.
Library Forecourt works are to proceed on advice from the Senior Management Group and the Manager- Library Services.
Umina CBD Committee
At a recent meeting called by Council it was decided that plans to upgrade the CBD are to go back to the "Drawing Board".
Beautification of the Woy Woy end of Woy Woy Road
As one of the major entrance roads to the Peninsula, Woy Woy Road is to be tidied up in the near future.
The Bays Community Hall
Some debate has been taking place as to the fate of this hall.
Council agreed that it had no jurisdiction in relation to the sale of the hall but was prepared to facilitate community discussion on how proceeds from the sale of the hall might be used should the hall be sold.
One suggestion that has been put forward includes the construction of a walkway along the water's edge from Woy Woy Bay to Phegans Bay.
Council's environmental staff are prepared to advise on related environmental issues.
Council Matters!
John Oakley