Labor plan for local council meetings

Gosford Council would hold council meetings on the Peninsula twice a year if it gains power after the council elections in September.

Labor candidate Mr Peter McCabe said the party would reinstate Community Council Meetings, taking full meetings of council outside of the Gosford chambers and into the suburbs.

At least four meetings each year will be held in community facilities outside of the Gosford CBD, including a minimum of two meetings each year on the Peninsula.

"The locations of other community council meetings will be determined by the needs of the community at the time and driven by matters of local importance," said Mr McCabe.

"Community council meetings will give more people the chance to attend meetings and debate local issues," said Mr McCabe.

"Older people and people without transport find it difficult to get in and out of Gosford late on a Tuesday night.

"There are a number of community facilities, such as the Peninsula Leisure Centre, which could host a full meeting of Council.

"If there was a meeting closer to home more people can come along to meet their elected representatives, witness the debate or even address the meeting.

"Community council meetings will give more people the chance to tell Council what they think is important."

Mr McCabe said that in addition to community council meetings, Labor councillors would hold their own community meetings several times a year to get feedback and new ideas from locals.

"The most important aspect of being a councillor or a council officer is listening to the community," he said.

"The Labor team for Gosford Council has a plan to put the community first through proper consultation and engagement," said Mr McCabe.

Media Release, 4 Jul 2012

Peter McCabe, Labor