Wales committed to saving Hillview St bushland

Independent candidate for Gosford Ms Debra Wales has confirmed her commitment to saving the Hillview St bushland from a medium density development by Providence Projects' second application to Gosford Council.

"I organised the protest rally to save the last of the Umina sand plain from medium density in a 2(a) single residential zone back in August 2004 and here we are again still trying to save this precious ecological site," Ms Wales said.

"This proposed development should be in a 2(b) medium density zone.

"People want reassurance that if they choose to live in a single residential zone, away from medium density units, they should not have to battle with this."

Providence Projects was denied approval in the courts early last year as the court deemed the bush block to be treated as an endangered ecological community and protected from development as a retirement village.

Ms Wales said she has meet with the mayor to seek his support to refuse this development application again despite the fact that it may end up back in the Land and Environment Court.

"The applicant must have more money than brains," Ms Wales said.

"The retirement village does not have hostel beds for aged care nor does it have assisted aged care services.

"So it is a medium density coming in the back door under the guise of the State Government's Senior's Living legislation.

"It is now in the hands of Gosford Councillors to refuse this once again and to bring the land into the ownership of council so that it can be protected and maintained for the future."

Press release, 7 March 2007 Debra Wales, Independent candidate for Gosford