Moral duty to refuse, say Greens

Gosford Council has a moral obligation to refuse a second development application lodged by Providence Projects to build a retirement village at Woy Woy, according to Greens candidate for Gosford Ms Hillary Morris.

"The council has invested ratepayers' money in defending its decision to reject this development application at the Land and Environment Court," Ms Morris said.

"The court ruled in favour of council on the basis the development would further endanger the already threatened Umina Sandplain Woodland.

"The Umina Sandplain Woodland is unique to the Peninsula and is recognised as being under threat of extinction from urban development.

"A site inspection of the area at the corner of Hillview and Vernon Rds will take place by councillors and staff on Monday, February 12 at 12.30pm.

"Once this site inspection has taken place, council will then decide the fate of this precious area.

"The new development application lodged by Providence Projects varies little in content from the original application dismissed by the Land and Environment Court.

"The Greens policy is to support sustainable developments and opposes any that threaten vulnerable ecologies."

Press release, 8 Feb 2007 Hillary Morris, Greens Candidate for Gosford