Council questions planning strategy

Gosford Council has called for clarification of the State Government's definition of "ecologically sustainable development" in its regional planning strategy.

Councillors unanimously resolved that the strategy document "Shaping the Central Coast" failed to define "ecologically sustainable development" and agreed not to sign the document until their concerns were addressed.

Local environmentalist Mr Bryan Ellis addressed the Council saying: "It's the belief of many on the Woy Woy sandplain that the document defeats its own purpose "by failing to suggest concrete answers to the problem of lack of infrastructure".

"There will still be a lack of local employment, which means more people on trains. The F3 and rail network are at, or near to, capacity," he said.

"We should reject it until at least the fast rail is put in."

Cr Geoff Preece said the growth envisaged by the State Government in the report was not sustainable.

Cr Malcolm Brooks said he wanted parts of the document removed before he would be ready to sign it.

Councillors said the document failed to define ecologically sustainable development.

Woy Woy South Progress Association committee member, Mr John Oakley, said it appeared as though two bureaucrats who had never visited the area had written the document.

"There is a list of sources, but no specific references backing what the report says," he said.

"There is a lot of motherhood statements, but little detail."

Carl Spears, May 10