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Collapse Issue 234 - 22 Feb 2010Issue 234 - 22 Feb 2010
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Peninsula may have 3500 illegal homes
Council loses another $2.9M
Aldi delays building work
CCTV impact not measured
Council ceases chemical clean-out
Draft planning scheme meets mixed reaction
No relocation offer, say judo club
Council applies for water licence
Council to cut library hours?
Rock pool fund reaches target
Ferry service excluded from fare scheme
Work on carpark to start soon
Donation to fire brigade
GFC blamed for village delay
Trivia night raises $11,000
Environment group calls for members
Car boot sale
Parks service plans island clean-up
Clean up at Empire Bay
Sales assistant wins top award
More than 134mm of rain
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Heritage values enhanced by hotel
Time for Council to act
Need for Umina police station
Promise something original
Not minimal
Take care
Enjoyable play
Wallet returned
Reduce gap fees
Listen to scientists
Don't pretend it's not happening
Population contradiction
Use laneways for vegie growing
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Council defends theatre rates
Cartoonist to speak at Wagstaffe
Artist opens new gallery
Art works at library
Scholarship for music students
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Relay will be smoke-free
Raw food group to hold course
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Schools broken into
New principal starts
Behaviour program introduced
Six new teachers
Child speech workshop
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Recognised for saving neighbour
Charity match for McGrath
Umina wins district bowls
Kincumber defeats needed
Umina holds Club Fours
Judo club success
Children attend community day
Water polo
Courtney is second seed
Collapse  PROMOTION PROMOTION
Chance to win
Winners

Peninsula may have 3500 illegal homes

Gosford Council has admitted that there may be as many as 3500 illegal backyard homes on the Peninsula.

Council's manager of education and compliance Mr John Parkes said he could not confirm the figure provided to Peninsula News by local real estate agents.

"Realistically we have no idea," he said.

"Council is aware of the high number of properties in the Gosford Local Government Area with unauthorised additional dwellings whether that is unapproved conversions to existing houses or stand alone dwellings such as granny flats," Mr Parkes said.

"Unfortunately the problem has grown over the years but I wouldn't try and put a number on how many there are."

Mr Parkes encouraged local property owners with an unauthorised additional dwelling to seek development consent.

The situation came to light after the Council recently received publicity while attempting to evict a woman who had converted a backyard garage into a home.

Mr Parkes said when council was advised of an unauthorised structure by staff or community members it was obliged to investigate.

"After an initial inspection of the site is carried out and the structure is deemed to be unauthorised, council officers serve a notice of intention for the building to be vacated or reconverted to its original use if permitted.

"The owner has the option of complying or can seek to lodge a development application to regularise use of the premise.

"It is likely if the structure is well-built and follows amenity and construction requirements council can consider approving the dwelling.

"In some cases a seven year building certificate can be issued when a structure has been approved by council but the authorised dwelling is not being used as stated in the development application.

"For example, council approved a garage to be built but it has been used as an additional dwelling."

Mr Parkes said he understood the angst of property owners who had an unauthorised dwelling but said council was willing to work together to see a suitable outcome.

"The fear of the unknown and the potential outcome of having an unauthorised dwelling demolished is a reasonable issue for property owners," Mr Parkes said.

"However, the NSW Government's new State Environmental Planning Policy on Affordable Housing encourages additional dwellings in order to meet the needs of our growing population.

"This is an effective policy in assisting younger generations and disadvantaged people to find affordable homes.

"But the policy cannot be effective if the additional dwelling is not well built in the first place.

"Council will continue to deal with individual unauthorised additional dwellings as they are brought to our attention."

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