Council moves on Catholic bushland

Gosford Council is to investigate buying land on the corner of Hillview St and Veron Rd, Woy Woy, and other ways to make the land public property and save it from development.

Cr Trevor Drake moved an urgency motion for the investigation, seconded by Cr Chris Holstein, at its meeting on June 1.

The council will also ask for a meeting with owners, the Catholic Church, and potential developers Providence Projects to discuss buying the land and any other options there might be to have the land transferred to public ownership.

Council also resolved at its meeting on June 8, with the adoption of the Peninsula Open Space and Recreation Section 94 Contributions Plan, to review the plan to enable purchase of both public and private land for open space.

The motion moved by Cr Peter Hale, and seconded by Cr Holstein, will see Council review the plan within six months to identify opportunities to gain future open space from either public or private sources.

The review will make sure that if private land is purchased it will only involve purchase on the open market.

This will mean that unlike previous plans by Council, homes will not earmarked for purchase, and it will not affect house values.

Methods of raising funds for contributions will also be reviewed "to best practice".

Council also resolved that any land purchased would have to be consistent with the open space needs for the area as identified by recreation consultants CD Recreation Services.

Cr Drake and Cr Terri Latella dissented from the motion.

Council has also extended the submission period for the development application for further 10 working days to Friday, June 18, "due to increased community interest".

The application is for 41 unit homes for older people and people with disabilities at what is described as Meacham Way, Woy Woy, the entry street for St John the Baptist School.

Mayor Cr Malcolm Brooks said: "The application is for a 41 unit retirement village. There is a lot of interest in this development.

"We have decided to extend the time allowed for submissions following a meeting with community representatives.

"The extension allows the community more time to consider the development proposal and make submissions to Council," Cr Brooks said.

Council Agenda UM.004 June 1, EP.026 June 8 Press release, June 2 Alison Nolan, corporate relations cadet, Gosford City Council