Report admits conference was unsuccessful

A report to Gosford Council has admitted that a facilitation conference to discuss issues raised by objectors to the Woy Woy pool redevelopment was "unsuccessful".

This was "due to the nature of the issues", council was told.

The issues raised by the objectors at the conference related to communication, permissibility, loss of economic value, traffic impact, noise impact, privacy, hours of operation, security, the open drain, relocation of the facility, criminal and anti-social behaviour and over-development.

The conference was conducted by an external facilitator and "residents were afforded an opportunity to air grievances and obtain a better understanding of the proposal", according to the report.

Objections lodged with Council included claims that:

* At least part of the site was used for landfill.

* There was a lack of consultation with local residents

* It had a detrimental effect on residential amenity, privacy and noise

* The proposal will attract gangs and increase drug dealing.

* An intolerable amount of noise and dust will be generated During construction

* The open drain was a stagnant, stinking mess infested with mosquitoes and rats.

* The development was too intense and the intensity should be reduced or relocated

* Property values would decrease

* There were no strategies in building design in respect of crime and antisocial behaviour.

* The proposal is a prohibited use in the 6(a) zone and existing use rights have not been established.

* Council, as the proprietor and consent authority, had a conflict of interest in carrying out the assessment process.

The report either denied the claims or dismissed the objections as valid reasons for not proceeding with the plans.

Council agenda DE.176, November 6