Government promises on the way

The NSW Government is well on the way to keeping its 2011 election promises for the Peninsula, according to a report received by Gosford Council.

So far, two promises have been kept, three are to be confirmed and one is pending.

The $5 million promise to reopen the Woy Woy Rehabilitation Unit was kept when, on March 8, the Joint Regional Planning Panel approved the $9 million proposal for a 30-bed geriatric rehabilitation facility, 24 space car park as well as a new building with store rooms, staff room and morgue.

A promise to provide $133,100 for teachers and school maintenance on the Peninsula is yet to be confirmed.

Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina was to receive $11,200 in funding while Ettalong Public School was to receive $21,600, Umina Public School was due $29,000, $9500 was to go to Brisbane Water Secondary College Woy Woy, $16,800 to Empire Bay Public School, $5,400 to Pretty Beach Public School, $18,100 to Woy Woy Public School and $21,500 to Woy Woy South Public School.

Gosford Council was unable to elicit a response from the Minister for the Central Coast Mr Chris Hartcher, despite sending a letter in September last year and follow up email in February requesting an update on the status of the promise.

The promise to deliver 30 new express train services a week to the Central Coast is also yet to be confirmed.

The investigation of government grants to assist in the upgrade of the downstairs amenities at the Umina Beach Rugby Club has not yet been.

Council's grants officer advised that an application for funding had been made for the amenities at the Umina Beach Rugby Club under the Community Building Partnership program.

The status of the replacement of the asbestos roof at the Umina PCYC is currently pending.

Community Services advised that a state wide PCYC tender for the replacement of roofs at a number of centres had been advertised and has now closed.

Council's report of Tuesday, March 27, said it was expected that all the PCYC roofs to be replaced would be prioritised, and that the Umina Beach PCYC roof would be replaced by the middle of this calendar year.

Planning is currently underway for the $45 million upgrade to Woy Woy Rd, including an underpass, by 2015.

The first stage of the four year upgrade commenced with $1 million for the planning, investigation, design and construction of the Rawson Rd level crossing replacement.

This included the provision of a road underpass of the railway line at the base of Bulls Hill. As planning and investigation progresses, Council's expenditure is being reimbursed by Roads and Maritime Services on a monthly basis.

The balance of funding to complete the project would be provided in 2014-2015, following re-election of the current State Government.

Gosford Council Agenda COR.31, 27 Mar 2012