Holstein to stand for Gosford

Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein has announced his pre-selection by the Liberal Party to contest next March's State Election for the seat of Gosford.

The announcement comes after Cr Holstein revealed he would not seek re-election to the position of mayor at the Gosford mayoral election on September 27.

Cr Holstein said he would continue to fulfil his term as a councillor for the next two years but believed he should not seek the mayor's position due to other commitments.

"I believe I would not be appropriate to hold the position as mayor and spokesperson for council while actively contesting the State seat," Cr Holstein said.

"It is with the same pride having been instrumental in the establishment of Bluetongue Stadium and the Peninsula Leisure Centre that I am equally proud that over the past two years we have completed the surf life saving club rebuilding program.

"The Gosford Challenge program is on target and we have launched the Gosford Master Plan.

"We have redeveloped Kibble Park and is it now much more family orientated.

"The $4.3 million Peninsula Recreation Precinct in Umina has commenced and it will be one of the largest in Australia and many families will benefit from it.

"The Central Coast Water Corporation negotiations have been concluded and a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the State Government and the Mardi to Mangrove pipeline is now under construction.

"We have been leaders in the revitalisation of Central Coast Tourism with its new and reinvigorated approach to tourism which is so vital to our community."

Cr Holstein said that stepping down as the Gosford mayor changed nothing in Gosford Council's objectives and direction with its plans and priorities remaining the same, including the advancement of the Draft Local Environment Plan and the Gosford Challenge as its foremost endeavours.

Press release, 20 Sep 2010 Cr Chris Holstein, Gosford mayor