Proposed levy spending defended

Gosford Council general manager Mr Peter Wilson has denied that a disproportionate amount of the proposed special rate levy will be spent outside the Peninsula.

He was addressing a public meeting at Umina Christian Life Centre on May 9 called by the council to discuss the proposal.

This was despite a Council brochure listing works on only 17 Peninsula streets among the 90 streets to be funded under the proposal.

A separate Council hand-out showed only $0.5 million of $2.3 million in 2002/03 and just over $0.5 million of $2.3 million in 2003/04 would be spent on Peninsula roads.

Mr Wilson said there was a reasonable distribution of funds across the City according to population.

He said it appeared otherwise because recent developments had included kerb and guttering and were paid for by developers.

Mr Wilson also revealed that the special rate would apply for five years, raising an extra $11.7 million, and that a recent property revaluation saw an increase in value of an average of 49 per cent.

The proposed additional 7.2% increase being sought by Council would need community support and would then be put to the Minister who would not necessarily agree to the rise.

"Without community support, the requested rise will not be put to the Minister," said Mr Wilson.

He said resident surveys had shown that the number one priority was addressing the backlog of roadwork, kerb and guttering and footpaths.

He said that the rate levy over a five-year period would enable the backlog to be addressed.

Mr Wilson said a recent revaluation of Gosford properties, showing a 49 per cent average increase in values, would not affect the average rate.

The revaluation would be "revenue neutral" in terms of the amount of rate revenue raised by the council, although individual ratepayers may find themselves paying more or less than previously.

Cec Bucello, May 9