Trust always was involved
A review of early Killcare Wagstaffe Trust newsletters has revealed that the Trust has always been deeply involved in issues regarding the natural and built environment, according to Trust member Beryl Strom.
A newsletter dated June 1982 stated that the trust was formed "some 18 months ago to protect the existing environmental amenity of this area and to encourage responsible development in the district."
A number of concerned residents had been motivated to form such an organisation when a development application was lodged for a caravan park on Killcare Heights which they believed would adversely affect the area.
In 1981, members of the trusts committee carried out a random survey of people in the Killcare Wagstaffe area to get a cross-section of views on a variety of issues covering the local environment.
Altogether, 187 replies were received, 58% being from permanent residents and 42% from non-permanent.
The November 1981 newsletter of the trust stated that the results of the survey were "clearly convincing
the overwhelming majority of people living on the Bouddi Peninsula identify closely with the environment and present a character of the area and have absolutely rejected any form of high density development."
There were over 140 members of the trust in November 1981 and its committee was comprised of president Maurice Porter, vice-president Ric Moore, secretary Maisie Hitchon, treasurer Martin Dale and committee members Pat McConchie, Chris Wheeler and Jim Wilson.
In January 1982, members were advised that the committee was putting together a detailed submission on a proposed regional environmental plan for the eastern sector of Gosford City.
This was the plan, adopted by the State Government in 1983, which refined tourist zonings in the coastal areas of the City, established the Erina commercial and residential land release, and re-zoned the Bensville lands to 1(d) Urban Investigation.
The newsletters of 1982 further advised that the trust was supporting Operation Coastwatch, an initiative of the Central Coasts Association for Environment Education, from which came The Bouddi Peninsula Study.
It also supported the removal of Bitou Bush at the northern end of Putty Beach, the addition of certain council owned lands to Bouddi National Park and improved management for Fletchers Glen.
The trust indicated to Gosford Council in 1982 that it was strongly opposed to the rezoning of any residential areas of the Bouddi Peninsula which would allow for the construction of dual occupancies.
It also requested council to "withdraw the development approval" of the caravan park on Killcare Heights but this request was refused.
The approval eventually lapsed because of the financial constraints imposed on the developer by the conditions of consent regarding sewage disposal.
Also in 1982, the trust objected to the proposed development of a 150-seat restaurant on Killcare Heights.
This application had been lodged by Chris Wheeler, a member of the committee, who felt he should resign from the position because of conflicting interests.
The vacancy was filled by Allen Strom who was elected vice-president in 1983 and became president in 1986, at which time Ric Moore who had held that office since April 1982 was appointed secretary.
In its early years, the trust made a strong contribution to the retention of the areas amenity.
Following preparation of The Bouddi Peninsula Study which involved many of its members, the trust prepared a draft Development Control Plan (DCP) for the Killcare Wagstaffe area and presented it to Gosford Council in late 1985.
It took until 1988 for a report on the plan to go before the aldermen and although not entirely supported by council, the draft DCP for Killcare-Wagstaffe paved the way for some special planning considerations not only for the Bouddi Peninsula but for the entire local government area.
Beryl Strom, Killcare Wagstaffe Trust newsletter, July 31