Council withdraws from lifesaving bid
Gosford Council has withdrawn from a joint bid with Wyong Shire which could have seen the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships held again at Umina and Ocean beaches.
A successful bid would have seen the championships held at different venues on the Coast for the three years 2011 to 2013.
Mayor Cr Chris Holstein said that NSW Surf Life Saving would only accept a bid from a single council area.
He said Gosford Council stood aside from the bidding process in the knowledge that Central Coast Surf Life Saving's preference was to hold the event in the Wyong Shire.
Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein has defended Gosford's decision not to provide financial support to Wyong Council if they win a bid to host the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships from 2011 to 2013.
"Gosford Council hosted the 2004-2005 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships at Umina and Ocean beaches and at no point was a financial contribution sought from Wyong Council, as the event was staged within the Gosford City area.
"Wyong Council has the ability to receive financial support through Central Coast Tourism and other organisations that Gosford Council financially contributes to."
Cr Holstein said that Gosford council's support of surf life saving on the Central Coast is unparalleled.
"It should be remembered that Gosford council's support of Central Coast Surf Life Saving has been highlighted with this year's completion of the 10-year surf club redevelopment project to upgrade eight surf clubs, at an overall investment in excess of $15 million," Cr Holstein said.
'We stand by our proven record of support for surf life saving on the Central Coast and that is beyond question."
Press release, 15 Oct 2009
Cr Chris Holstein, Gosford mayor