Rare bushland up for sale

A 1.6 hectare block of rare bushland on the corner of Hillview St and Veron Rd, Woy Woy, is up for sale.

The block contains a protected stand of Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland endangered ecological community.

A development application for senior living housing on the site was approved by Council in 2007, after a court case in which the council defended its previoius refusal of a similar application.

However, the council could not confirm whether the approval remained valid.

At the time, moves to have the council acquire the block were unsuccessful.

Gosford Council chief Mr Paul Anderson said it would be unlikely to acquire it on this occasion.

"As this property is not nominated in the Coastal Open Spaces Strategy 2010 as a site for proposed acquisition, it is unlikely that council would acquire this land as part of our Coastal Open Spaces System," he said.

Central Coast Greens spokesperson, Ms Kate da Costa has called for the protection of the bushland:

"It forms a crucial link in a fragile but important corridor leading across the suburb to Correa Bay," she said.

"If Council does not have the funds to purchase the land under the COSS or other schemes, the Greens call for the highest level of protection for the vegetation on the block, to help preserve the corridor."

During 2006 and 2007, a proposal to develop seniors living for 41 dwelling with community and recreational facilities was refused by Gosford Council.

The refusal was then upheld by the Land and Environment Court.

However, Gosford Council then approved a revised application for the development of 37 self-care units and community hall and indoor swimming pool.

Subsequent modifications to the approval increased the number of units in the development.

Expressions of interest from potential purchasers expired last month.

Media statements, 6 and 7 Jan 2016

Paul Anderson, Gosford Council

Media statement, 7 Jan 2016

Kate da Costa, Central Coast Greens

Articles, 12 Feb 2007

Peninsula News