Mayor hits back about West St flags

Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna has hit back claims by the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce that Gosford Council was not honoring an agreement to install Australia Day flags along West St, Umina.

"It's very disappointing that the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has waited until now to demand that we install their flags, at our cost, in time for Australia Day," Cr McKinna said.

"Given the flags are owned by the Chamber, we offered to cover some of the installation cost if the chamber would also contribute something towards it.

"Unfortunately, the chamber refused to contribute anything.

"Despite their claims, there is no, and has never been, an agreement that council would commit to installing the Chamber's flags every year at our cost.

"Fortunately, we have been able to help the Chamber over the past five years by installing their flags at a cost of around $20,000 to council and ratepayers.

"Plus we've covered the cost to install their other flags for many other events.

"At the end of the day, these installation works are not budgeted for.

"It's very important that we deliver the community services, infrastructure and facilities we've said we would, especially given we're now in the Gosford and Wyong merger proposal period.

"The Chamber is well aware that we have various official grant and sponsorship programs that local organisations and individuals from across Gosford City can apply for at the start of each financial year to support their initiatives.

"I'd strongly encourage the Chamber to apply for this funding in the future so that it can avoid this sort of issue so close to Australia Day," he said.

Council is again putting on a number of events and activities for residents on Australia Day this year including Australia Day festivities in Wagstaffe and Woy Woy.

Media release, 20 Jan 2016

Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council