Plan still applies to community land after 20 years

The Community Parks Plan of Management adopted by Gosford Council in 1996 still covers the management of community land, according to Gosford Council chief Mr Paul Anderson.

The plan described community land as "land which should be retained for use by the general public".

"Due to the large number of community parks in the local government area, it is intended to develop a generic plan to cover all of these areas".

In 1996, when the generic plan was drawn up Gosford Council had a Land Management Committee.

The plan was intended to "serve as the plan of management for all community land designated for passive recreation activities".

An appendix listed all land to which the plan applied.

"This Appendix will be updated regularly as new property is acquired and added to the parks system," the 1996 document stated.

It went on to say: "Some anomalies in the categorization of existing parks may have occurred in Council's land management process.

"Any additional properties will be added to the land register through a public exhibition process as they are identified."

According to the document, maps identifying park locations are available for inspection at the recreation section of council.

The aim of the plan was to provide guidance for the control of usage, development and maintenance of community parks.

According to the document, approximately 33 per cent of land in the Gosford LGA was classified as open space, mostly significant tracts of bushland.

Small parks and playgrounds represented the highest number of settings but the space devoted to them was described as "relatively low".

"These small parcels of open space have the primary function of providing areas of passive recreation (serving a local neighbourhood)," the 1996 plan said.

It also highlighted that ongoing population growth meant demand for children's playgrounds and local parks was already high and it was "anticipated that these demands will continue reinforcing the importance of community parks to the community".

The 1996 plan also outlined the importance of community parks for children and adults "as local parks become popular meeting places, often providing picnic and/or barbecue facilities.

"The regular upkeep of community parks is aesthetically beneficial to the community," the plan said.

"Open space is developed and/or maintained creating pleasant surrounds for local residents."

In preparing the plan, the community was consulted via a survey and a public meeting.

The draft plan was then prepared and placed on public exhibition for further comment.

The adopted plan included a section on the acquisition and disposal of community land.

"According to the definition, community land must be retained for use by the general public.

"In other words, community land cannot be sold.

"However, the disposal of community land deemed surplus to Council and community requirements will follow the process proposed in the Act that is reclassification to operational land with the full opportunity for community input.

"Any such reclassification from community to operational land must be in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979," the document said.

It also stated that an action plan relevant to the issues identified in the plan of management was to be developed and reviewed annually and that directions and issues would be reviewed approximately every five years.

Community Parks Plan of Management, 1996

Paul Anderson, Gosford Council