Opposition to new hall
A letter in Peninsula News (August 2000) condemned Gosford Councils possible blockage of a new hall in the Bays area.
Many of the residents of Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay oppose the construction of a new hall on the proposed site or on any other area of natural open space.
The councils environmental stance is supported by these local residents.
The destruction of any area of natural bushland, including wetlands areas, to simply provide a site for a rarely-used community hall defies logic.
The present hall, which has been used once this year for a community function, is adequate for our current and future needs.
The reserve between Woy Woy Bay and Phegans Bay is one of the last areas of natural bushland in a residential area on the Peninsula.
To sacrifice any piece of this pristine environment for the self-glorification of a few members of the local progress association would be a true act of vandalism.
The construction of a new hall in a bushland reserve will act as a magnet for young people at all hours of the night.
A defined isolated meeting place will quickly become a perfect location for many unwanted activities.
This is exactly what the Progress Association is saying it wants to stop, however the effect will be the opposite.
To think that this proposed hall is an answer to any of the major issues facing our younger generation, including drugs, is sheer shortsightedness.
If the Bays Progress Association are interested in improving the area there are many problems they could focus their attention on.
Drainage (or lack of), the condition of the roads and embankment stabilisation are some of the problems that require immediate attention.
But most of all the preservation of the nature beauty and serenity of the Bays area is paramount.
The residents purchased in the area to take advantage of these nature qualities we do not want a new hall, a public boat ramp and car park or any other similar development.
Unnecessary and unwanted development in any of the Bays (Horsfield, Phegans or Woy Woy) must be stopped forever.
Lawrie Mainwaring, Phegans Bay