Land sale may fund pool roads

Gosford Council may sell off Council land on the Peninsula to help fund road works for the Peninsula Leisure Centre.

The council decide to investigate the options at its meeting on October 7.

A report by Engineering Operations found that there was no funding allocated to satisfy the conditions of development consent for the centre.

While a detailed estimate of the costs was yet to be confirmed, the department estimated a budget of $1 million was required.

The council agenda noted that as "completion of the centre in late 2004 is currently being targeted" funding could come from the 2003/04 and 2004/05 Capital Works Programs

The report suggested that funding be raised by reallocating capital works funding allocated to nearby Springwood St, and the sale of two Council-owned lots in Brisbane Ave, Umina

The agenda estimated that the sale of the two lots would generate approximately $400,000 in funding, and another $660, 000 would come from reallocating funds from Springwood St.

"It is further recommended that any funding not required for road works associated with the Centre be returned to the Springwood St upgrading project," the report stated.

Cr Bockholt told the meeting that in the past she had fought to save land on the Peninsula, but the money from the sale of the land in this case would at least go to the Peninsula community.

"We were faced with the prospect of land being sold to pay for (Cr) Malcolm's (Brook) library," she said.

"It grieves me to sell land now, but if the funding is for the swim centre, it will really improve where people live on the Peninsula."

"We've got a $1.5 million shortfall from the State government."

"We all know if we are not prepared to sell land, we'll have to come up with the money somehow," she said.

"I don't agree with selling land but the leisure centre must go ahead."

Cr Debra Wales said that Council should go through due process and consult the community and questioned the $1.5 million shortfall.

"What funding? I've never heard of any funding," she said.

"People do not want public land being sold down there."

"I don't agree with selling land. We went through that process.

"There must be other parcels of land we can sell."

Council resolved that a further report should come back to council on selling lands on the Peninsula as contribution to the Peninsula leisure centre.

The road works required for the centre include the reconstruction of the Alpha Lane and Alpha Rd intersection to provide adequate road area for turning, including kerbing and guttering, road pavement, landscaping and drainage.

The agenda noted the likely routes of travel to and from the centre and the use of adjacent James Browne Oval.

"Anecdotal evidence of through traffic using Welcome St and Alpha Rd to bypass the McMasters Rd-Blackwall Rd intersection was also considered," the report stated.

"It is noted that on a regional level, both Gosford and Mingara pools will still be used for school swimming and carnivals."

"The majority of Woy Woy Peninsula residents live in the areas south of McMasters Rd or west of Ocean Beach Rd.

"With improved access into the rear of the centre, it is assumed that these residents will use the Mc Masters Rd-Welcome St route for access to the centre.

"Visitors to the centre using Blackwall Rd will be able to turn directly into the site to access either the front and rear car parks.

"Access from the centre to Blackwall Rd is by left turn only from the front car park.

"Buses bringing school students will access the centre from Blackwall Rd, drop students off adjacent to the complex and park in the James Browne Oval car park.

"Students will walk along the footpath-cycleway within the centre grounds to board the buses on their departure from the centre," the report stated.

Ten responses were received to a letterbox drop outlining the Council staff proposal for the provision of kerb and gutter in Alpha Rd and Welcome St.

Four responses from residents of Alpha Rd were in favour of the proposed treatment.

Three responses were from residents of Squirrel and Billabong Sts who felt that the proposal would increase the incidence of "through traffic" using their streets to bypass the McMasters Rd-Blackwall Rd intersection.

Alison Branley, Council agenda EO.021, October 10