Strategy forum draws 50 people

Gosford Council held a public forum for its Civic Infrastructure Strategy at the Peninsula Theatre, Woy Woy, on March 19, attended by 50 residents and council staff.

The meeting was attended by Gosford mayor Cr Laurie Maher, council general manager Mr Peter Wilson, director of corporate services Mr Nic Pasternatsky, director of city services Mr Steven Glen, director of community services and organization development Mr Terry Thirlwell and director of water and sewerage Mr Rod Williams.

Councillors at the meeting included Cr Vicki Scott and Cr Peter Hale.

Labor candidate Ms Marie Andrews, Independent candidate Ms Debra Wales, Save Our Suburbs candidate Mr Bryan Ellis and Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales also attended the meeting.

Residents who attended raised concerns about a rise in the proposed rate increase due to new land valuation prices, council raising the current rates, the order of the priority listing for the projects, the inclusion of "basic council duties" on the list and the inability of some residents to attend the meeting.

One resident wanted to know why a ballot at the meeting asked whether residents agreed with the strategy, instead of the rate increase.

The resident stated that it was an "important question" which was "a bit obscure".

Mr Pasternatsky said there were "no smoke and mirrors" in terms of the question and that council could not fund the 33 projects without an injection of capital.

"The ballot paper means that if the strategy doesn't go ahead, there is no rate increase.

"If you support it in principal, there's a rate increase," Mr Pasternatsky.

The resident also raised concerns about whether the rate value in the report was decided before or after new land valuations.

"Our valuation has risen by more than 30 per cent. Was the value before the new valuations or afterwards?" the resident asked.

Mr Pasternatsky said that the rate was based on the old land values but noted that "if your land value goes up, the pie that council collects doesn't vary".

"Therefore it won't mean that you will be paying 30 per cent more because your land value has gone up by 30 per cent," Mr Pasternatsky said.

The resident also asked if council would raise general rates along with the proposed increase, suggesting council could raise rates "without State Government approval".

Cr Maher denied that council could increase rates by itself.

"The Minister is only one who can increase rates," Cr Maher said.

Another resident asked why council needed an increase for "basic council duties such as kerb and guttering" which "around this area (is) very poor".

Mr Pasternatsky said that council already funded a kerb and guttering program but stated that the strategy would "speed it up".

"At our current rate it would take about 80 years," Mr Pasternatsky said.

"The strategy would allow council to do it much quicker."

One resident said he was concerned that commuters were unable to attend any of the three meetings due to the time they were held, and also suggested some older people "won't come out" during the night.

Cr Maher said that the Vision 2025 document, which formed the basis of the Civic Infrastructure Strategy, was brought about following a "lack of forward planning" from council.

"We needed to plan at least 25 years out," Cr Maher said.

Cr Maher said that when the Premier "told us we are going to get a 30,000-plus population increase" it was not accompanied by more money.

"I understand the State doesn't have lots of dollars.

"When the State Government said (Gosford) would be one of six major cities in NSW, we went through focus groups, community consultation with the Vision 2025 process and we made up this list of 54 items.

"I said: 'Look, if you're going to have infrastructure you have to pay for it.'

"And there are only three ways: funding from State or Federal government, public-private partnerships or alternatively the community has to pay for it.

"We will be asking State and Federal, and will be probably looking at public-private partnership.

"We are really going to the community to say these are the items you believe ought to be part of the regional capital of the Central Coast."

Cr Maher said council had sent almost 1000 fax sheets to community groups, to those with an interest in 2025 and to groups and organisations listed in the 54 projects.

Cr Maher said council had also set up a hotline, website and signage around the local area.

A ballot was also taken at each of the three meetings.

Cr Maher said that all submissions about the strategy would be noted.

He also stated that council had been "pretty open and pretty transparent" with the strategy, stating that there was "no hidden agenda".

Mr Pasternatsky said council planned on obtaining loans to pay for the 33 listed projects, which the rate increase would assist in paying off.

"We can't do the projects with the limited resources that council has," Mr Pasternatsky said.

"For council to do all 54 projects would need $430 million.

"That money in terms of loans would be a massive impost."

The loan would increase for five years, where it would then level out around the $200 mark for residents with a land value around $200,000, before gradually dropping down again.

Mr Pasternatsky said the gradual decrease in rates would be to fund future maintenance the projects.

He also noted that government funding may be available to council but stated that council would need funds to start the projects so that the government could assist.

Lyle Stone, 19 March 2007