Council hears rate rise reasons

Gosford Council has been told a rate increase of 7.5 per cent would raise about $2.4 million.

The money would be spent on roads, footpaths, kerbs and gutters.

It was proposed that $1 million be spent on major works and that $500,000 be spent on regional road major capital improvements.

A further $500,000 would be spent on local road kerb and guttering, while $400,000 would be spent on "missing link" kerb, gutter and footpath work.

In a report to Council, officers said that funding for roadworks "is seen as likely to receive strong community acceptance as all funding is directed at providing basic infrastructure out in the community".

The major works funding would be "focussed in the area of arterial roads".

The council was told that capital funding for regional roads was required because Roads and Traffic Authority funding gave preference to "road pavement rehabilitation and not capital improvements".

"Little or no funding is left ... where major capital expenditure is required," according to the officers' report.

The report said that Woy Woy Rd at Horsfield Bay was an example "where major capital improvement funding is required to improve the hairpin bend at Horsfield Rd and to widen the road pavement just to the south of that intersection".

Work on the backlog of kerb and gutter for local roads required a special effort, the council was told.

"The necessary past focus on funding on arterial road reconstruction has meant that little or no gain has been made on the many hundreds of local roads in residential areas which still have no kerb and gutter.

"The proposed strategy will begin to address this backlog.

"The greatest impact is likely to be made if funds are concentrated in a different locality each year."

Council was told that an information pack with numbered questionnaires would be prepared for circulation to residents "as an insert in the local newspaper".

"It is proposed that the information package will provide details as to the reasons Council is seeking the increase, what effect it will have on the ratepayer, and include a questionnaire which could be as simple as a tick in a Yes or No box as to whether the community member supports the proposed increase or not.

"It is also proposed that three public meetings be held prior to the closing date for questionnaires so that members of the community can hear first hand what Council is proposing."

Council agenda, March 27