Candidates asked to save rare bush

The Peninsula Bushcare Forum has asked candidates for the seat of Gosford to support the preservation of rare Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland (UCSW), "which only exists on the Peninsula".

It has called on the candidates to publicly oppose a development proposal for a "luxury retirement village" on the Catholic site at the corner of Veron Rd and Hillview St, Woy Woy in the lead-up to the State election.

The forum's UCSW campaigner Ms Shirley Hotchkiss said the development could destroy up to 10 per cent of the remnant rare bushland.

Ms Hotchkiss said she was hopeful of support, given the public record of the main candidates.

"Three of the four main candidates are on record as opposing development of the site and supporting its preservation as environmentally-sensitive bushland," said the forum's UCSW campaigner Ms Shirley Hotchkiss.

She said Liberal candidate Chris Holstein, Greens candidate Hillary Morris and independent Ms Debra Wales had all opposed development of the site at some time, and this had been recorded in Peninsula News.

Ms Hotchkiss said she could find no public statement about the site by Labor candidate, the Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews.

"Cr Chris Holstein, the present Liberal candidate, opposed a previous development application in his role as councillor," said Ms Hotchkiss.

He seconded an urgency motion moved by Cr Trevor Drake for Gosford Council to investigate buying the land to save it from development on June 1 2004.

Ms Hotchkiss said: "On the Woy Woy Peninsula, Cr Holstein has also supported the work and humour of Spike Milligan, who was a staunch environmentalist.

"Cr Holstein played a key role in the establishment of Spikefest, a festival celebrating Spike Milligan's legacy."

Ms Hotchkiss said Greens candidate Hillary Morris was reported in the last issue of Peninsula News as being opposed to the current development.

Ms Morris said the Greens policy was to support sustainable development and oppose any that threaten vulnerable ecologies.

Ms Morris said Council's investment of ratepayer's money to successfully stop the previous proposal meant it had a moral obligation to refuse the current application.

Ms Hotchkiss said independent candidate Ms Debra Wales had strongly opposed development of the site.

On August 3, 2004, when she was the Liberal representative for Peats, Ms Wales urged Council to bring it into public ownership to save the rare bushland.

She also helped organise a public rally to prevent the site's development.

"Open space is needed in the most densely populated area of Gosford City," Ms Wales said in a media release.

"It's not a question of dollars or politics but a question as to the health and well-being of our local neighbourhood."

Ms Wales cited the importance of the land's link to Brisbane Water National Park, as a wildlife corridor and the abundance of grass trees, birdlife and paperbarks.

"It is a precious piece of forest and a vital part of the quality of life on the Peninsula," she said.

Ms Wales also opposed the development on planning grounds, saying that medium density development should not be allowed in the area.

Ms Hotchkiss said she was hopeful for the support of the Labor candidate and current Member for Peats, Ms Andrews.

"Given Marie Andrews' support and advocacy for the views of ordinary community members, we are asking that she take a public stand on this matter that has long been opposed by community members across the political spectrum."

Media release, 21 Jan 2007 Shirley Hotchkiss, Peninsula Bushcare Forum