Housing department backs down on talks

Gosford Council has approved Department of Housing plans for a dual occupancy in Grafton Ave, Woy Woy, after senior staff from the department met with council representatives.

The department had earlier refused a meeting with the council to discuss the department's long-term strategy on the Peninsula.

Council, at its meeting of August 3, considered an application for the construction of four dual occupancy dwellings for the Department of Housing in Grafton Ave.

Council resolved to approve the application but asked the Department of Housing to meet to discuss its long term strategy for the Peninsula.

During the assessment of a new application for another house in Grafton Ave, council staff contacted the Department of Housing and requested a meeting with council.

The Department declined.

In addition the Department indicated it had referred the development application to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Mr Craig Knowles, asking that he determine the matter.

The report on the application was presented to council at its meeting on October 5.

The report noted the Department's refusal to meet with council as requested by the previous resolution.

As a result, council resolved to seek the concurrence of the Minister, Mr Knowles, for refusal of the development application.

Following council's resolution, the council's general manager Mr Peter Wilson was approached by senior staff of the Department of Housing seeking discussions on the issue.

A meeting between council and the Department of Housing occurred on Tuesday, November 23, and was attended by a number of councillors.

Council has since decided to rescind its resolution which sought the Minister's refusal of the application.

Council agenda DH.123, December 7