More housing may mean less

Gosford Council has agreed to examine the height and density provisions currently allowed in the Gosford CBD with a view to encouraging more residential housing.

I support this because I believe there may be an opportunity for Council and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) to work together to trade-off more residential units in Gosford CBD for less medium-density housing on the Peninsula.

I have had meetings with representatives of DUAP and have shown them the spread of badly designed medium-density development which is choking our area.

I got the impression that DUAP wants Council to cater for increased population but that they will not stipulate where this development should take place.

It appears to be immaterial to DUAP whether it takes place in the Gosford CBD or on the Peninsula.

There is talk that Gosford CBD could house 3000 to 4000 people in the CBD.

This would bring life to the centre of the city, where it should be and where the infrastructure is already in place.

I do not believe that the Peninsula has the necessary infrastructure to carry many thousands more in population and I see this as a great opportunity, with DUAP's assistance, to fine-tune Council's future planning. Council has agreed that we will meet with DUAP and discuss the matter with them.

I am sure that, because of increasing local opposition to medium-density and the obvious lack of infrastructure on the Peninsula, they will give the matter serious consideration.

Cr Lynne Bockholt, July 14