Mayor plays down economic crisis

Newly-elected Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein has played down the impact of the world economic crisis on Gosford Council.

Cr Holstein said the global credit crisis would affect "everyone in some way", including the Federal and State Governments.

"We have a challenging time ahead of us, economically," Cr Holstein said.

"But it is important for us not to get caught up in all the negatives of the current economic situation.

"We can be negative or we can look to the future and get on with the job."

"Over 60 per cent of council's revenue comes from higher government funding," Cr Holstein said.

"We are going to have a hard time getting the funding we need when all councils will be facing the same challenge."

Cr Holstein said Gosford had a "very good pool" of councillors and council officers ready to face the challenge and get back to basics.

"We have a good team of people on board with the community in mind," Cr Holstein said.

"We want to get back to the basics of kerbs, gutters, roads and drainage to ensure the community's basic needs is satisfied.

"I understand the Peninsula community has varying concerns including these basic roads and infrastructure needs and we will aim to address them over the next four years."

Clare Graham, 8 Oct 2008 Interviewee: Chris Holstein, Gosford mayor