Peninsula Village awaits fee decision

The Peninsula Village will have to wait two more weeks to find out if Gosford Council will reimburse their development application and construction certificate fees.

The matter at Gosford Council's meeting on Tuesday, February 3, was deferred so that council could develop a policy regarding fees for profit and non-profit nursing homes.

The fees of more than $200,000 are for the village's new extensions.

Addressing council, the village's general manager and director of nursing, Ms Terri Parker said that the Peninsula Village was a unique community owner facility which provided all levels of aged care.

"It is totally voluntary, and not considered a retirement village," she said.

"It has a staff of 200 with 80, volunteer community carers."

Council voted to create a policy so that community nursing homes could have such fees waived but profit-making operations would not be able to apply for similar exemptions.

Speaking at the meeting Cr Lynne Bockholt said council needed to have a clear policy.

"If someone else came through the door, they should pay the same whack," she said.

Cr Malcolm Brooks also supported the decision.

"We have to have grounds to justify our decision in this particular case," he said.

"We have to have grounds and I'll support the amendment."

Cr Samson said that the overwhelming number of fees did not apply to the village.

"I think Peninsula village is an exception."

It provided true community-based services, he said.

Gosford Council recently waived fees for the dementia facility being built on the old TAFE land in Railway St, South Woy Woy

Alison Branley, Council agenda DH.019, February 3