Rare bushland is election issue, says SOS

A development approval recommendation which would destroy one of the last pockets of rare bushland on the Peninsula is "looming as a factor in the State election", according to Save Our Suburbs (SOS) candidate for Gosford, Mr Bryan Ellis.

Mr Ellis said that the recommendation by Gosford Council planners to approve a 37-unit villa development on one of the last remaining pockets of the threatened Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland at Woy Woy was "a contentious decision".

Mr Ellis said that more than 100 local residents signed letters at a rally organised by SOS at the bushland asking the Premier to instruct his Planning Minister Sartor to "call in" the proposal and refuse to allow any development on this site.

The Minister has the power to do this with any development that could be considered of "State significance".

"Surely a threatened ecological community that is recognised as such under the State's legislation is of State significance," said Mr Ellis.

"Only about seven hectares of this type of woodland remain intact in NSW.

"What chance is there of saving remaining pockets of bushland that define the Scenic Central Coast, if the State won't save bushland that its own legislation describes as threatened?" asked Mr Ellis.

Mr Ellis said residents were amazed that this development is back on the books.

The council had won at the Land and Environment Court an appeal against its refusal of this development, the developer having taken council's decision to the Court, he said.

"Shocked residents indicated that they were prepared to change their vote over this issue if the Premier doesn't do something."

He said that, with voters jaded by 12 years of Labor government, it was local issues such as this election that could be decisive in marginal electorates.

Save Our Suburbs will be endorsing candidates in Gosford and Terrigal and will be urging voters to register their concern by directing their vote to SOS.

Letter, 5 Mar 2007 Bryan Ellis, SOS candidate for Gosford