Comment sought on new contributions plan

A new developer Section 94 Contributions Plan for the Peninsula has been put on public display by Gosford Council for the month of March.

Community feedback is encouraged.

Council approved the action at its meeting on Tuesday, February 24.

The new plan is expected to cover the current funding shortfall for the Peninsula Regional Leisure Centre as well as extra funding for other recreational facilities on the Peninsula.

Mayor Cr Robert Bell said that a total of $41.0 million had been allocated in the draft plan for the development of new parks, open space, development of new playgrounds and recreation facilities.

"The draft plan outlines 33 projects worth $29 million that will improve bushland, foreshores, parks, leisure facilities and playgrounds and $12 million for acquiring and developing publicly owned land for new parks," he said.

"We listened to residents.

"They didn't want us to purchase their properties as put forward in the original plan.

"The new draft plan will utilise publicly-owned land, as a reduced amount of land is available for acquisition for recreation we will be making better use of current parks, foreshores and recreation facilities.

"A recent study of publicly-owned land that may be available over the medium term for development of new parks and open space identified four sites.

"These are Council's Woy Woy Depot, the Woy Woy landfill and the two secondary schools.

"The revised plan allocates funds for the potential development of these areas as new parks," Cr Bell said.

The revised plan reflects current trends in building development and population growth that have been evident since 1991 and the gradual accumulation of developer contributions, he said.

The major initiatives outlined in the plan are anticipated to be undertaken over the next 10 to 20 years.

They include: $12.15 million for the acquisition and improvement of publicly owned land for new parks and recreation facilities, $8.2 million for improvements to sportsgrounds and $2.3 million for new and upgraded recreation facilities including netball courts.

It will also include $8.5 million for the new Regional Leisure Centre, $1.8 million for new and upgraded playgrounds and $5.4 million for improvements to beaches and foreshore areas

Press release, March 1