Residents encouraged to vote for Constitutional recognition

The mayors of both Gosford and Wyong Councils have encouraged residents to support a campaign to give Constitutional Recognition to Local Government.

A referendum will be held at the upcoming September 14 Federal election and both Councils have joined 85 per cent of councils around Australia to support the campaign for Constitutional Recognition.

A high court decision ruled the Federal Government cannot directly fund Local Government, which puts at risk Federal Government funding across the Central Coast.

If Constitutional Recognition is given to Local Government, this will allow for direct Federal funding of Local Government.

"Local Councils including Gosford and Wyong often rely heavily on Federal funding to improve our roads and community facilities," said Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna.

"By voting yes in the referendum, residents are voting to continue to access this funding, which contributes to many major projects in our local areas.

"For example, the Peninsula Recreation Precinct at Umina Beach received $3.1 million Federal Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program and the Regional Development Australia Fund provided $2.5 million for the Narara Valley Sporting Precinct.

"Both of these facilities provide important social and recreational opportunities for our residents and are significant community assets.

"In regard to road funding, Gosford Local Government Area last year received $454,500 under the Federal Nation Building Black Spot program to increase safety on a number of roads including Dane Dr, Gosford, the Central Coast Highway at Kariong and Maitland Bay Dr - Picnic Pde at Ettalong Beach.

"The Roads to Recovery program also provides vital funding for road upgrades.

"Recently completed projects include; Barnhill Rd at Terrigal, Mount Ettalong Rd at Umina Beach, bridges and culverts at Timber Dr, Lisarow, The Round Dr at Avoca Beach, Serpentine Rd at Erina Heights and Springfield Rd at Springfield.

"These projects give you some idea of how important this funding is to our region," mayor Cr McKinna said.

Both Councils received an $80 million grant from the Federal Government for the Mardi-Mangrove Link project, which has secured the region's water supply.

Media Release, 20 May 2013

Laurie McKinna, Gosford Council