Council approves third plan revision

Gosford Council has approved its third recent revision of its Section 94 Contributions Plan for Peninsula Open Space and Recreation at its meeting on June 8.

The plan, which includes $8.5 million to build the controversial Regional Leisure Centre, is based on funding raised from a 20 per cent population increase over the 10 years to 2011 (to 37,500 people).

The plan also projects an ultimate population increase of 33 per cent to 44,500 people.

Funds for the plan come from fees levied by Council on developers who build on the Peninsula.

The plan came before Council for approval on June 1 when new councillors decided they wanted to review the plan.

Cr Chris Holstein left the meeting when his motion to accept the plan was defeated.

The council then held an extraordinary meeting to review the plans, where it was decided that within six months it will review options to purchase extra open space land.

The plan was adopted at its following meeting on June 8.

A revision of the plan was first proposed two years ago.

It came to public attention in December that year when Council notified residents that their properties had been identified for future open space needs.

The second revision came about after residents protested that their properties had been devalued as a result.

The council reacted by removing the identified properties from the plan and adopting a policy of not purchasing private property for open space.

The third revision was proposed to meet a shortfall in funding for the construction of the Regional Leisure Centre after the State Government rejected Council requests to meet the shortfall.

Prior to the council elections, councillors questioned population projections and the consequent level of funding available, leading to argument over just how much money could be allocated to projects such as the leisure centre and upgrading of sporting fields.

Under the plan now approved, Woy Woy is expect to have an ultimate total population of 16,800; Umina 21,200 and Ettalong 6500.

Alison Branley, June 9 Council Agenda, EP 026 June 1