Council approves refreshment rooms

Gosford Council has approved three refreshment rooms with alfresco dining at the Empire Bay Service Station despite a deputation of residents objecting to the proposal.

Cr Peter Freewater argued against approval.

He said Council should be able to use discretion and "say these developers have done the wrong thing in the past".

The site was previously the subject of a Land and Environment Court Appeal, which as a condition of approval for the service station, required the retention or revegetation of surrounding bushland.

"It's been eight years for them to put things right and they haven't," said Cr Freewater.

Cr Freewater said: "This community has already been hammered by the State Government with the substation.

"We should be listening to the community and what they want," he said.

Cr Craig Doyle said Council had an obligation to assess every application.

Cr Doyle acknowledged the community's concerns and said as a result of the consultation process "we end up with better result".

The Council approved the development comprising three refreshment rooms with alfresco dining together with two separate car parking areas, one accommodating 17 spaces and one accommodating 34 spaces.

The council added a condition that the bush regeneration plan be "strictly adhered to".

Gosford Council Agenda ENV.60, 27 Sep 2011 Kaitlin Watts, 27 Sep 2011