Facilitator appointed for land sale meetings
Mr Gary Warnes has been appointed as independent facilitator ot conduct public meetings about the reclassification of community land owned by Central Coast Council at 83 to 85 Brisbane Ave, Umina.
The Council has stated that the form of the public meeting on July 6 will be determined by the facilitator.
Save Central Coast Reserves coordinator Ms Sue Chidgey said: "We asked for a night time session for the meetings to be held on July 6 so that people who work could attend but that hasn't happened."
She said she had also asked council, on several occasions, for clarification on whether members of the public would be required to register to attend the meetings and/or speak at the meetings.
"My understanding is that members of the public may be permitted to speak but all protocol at the meetings will be at the discretion of the facilitator," she said.
Central Coast Council's administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said that any council wanting to sell land classified as community land it must first get that land reclassified as operational land.
He said the current process had been initiated by the former Gosford Council but said he could assure the public that the person appointed to oversee the reclassification process was independent.
"People will be able to speak and there will be a report to council," Mr Reynolds said, although he said he could not "direct the consultant's findings."
Umina resident Ms Amie Raz said: "It would be great to have residents attending the public hearing on July 6 and supporting community green spaces."
Ms Raz said she intended to attend one of the meetings to argue for the reserve at 83 to 85 Brisbane Ave to remain as community land.
The Brisbane Ave reserve is the only community land on the Peninsula to be considered for reclassification with 10 others around the Central Coast.
Another 15 parcels of community land, including several more on the Peninsula, will be considered at a later date, yet to be announced by Central Coast Council.
"Other reserves on the Peninsula including Jumbuck Crescent and Pozieres Ave will have public hearings in the next few months," Ms Raz said.
The first round of public meetings will be held on July 6 in the Erina Room at the Erina Centre, adjacent to Erina Library at Erina Fair.
Sessions will run from 12pm to 2pm and from 4pm to 6pm.
Ms Raz said people wanting to keep the reserve as green space should write a submission to the council.
Submission about the proposed rezoning and reclassification of 83 Brisbane Ave (Lot 195 DP 9894 Umina) and 85 Brisbane Ave (Lot 196 DP9894 Umina) should be sent to council before July 14.
Submissions need to be signed, addressed and dated.
They can be sent to: Chief Executive Officer, Central Coast Council, PO Box 21, Gosford, NSW, 2250.
Email, 22 Jun 2016
Amie Raz, Umina
Interview, 23 Jun 2016
Sue Chidgey, Save Central Coast Reserves
Interview, 22 Jun 2016
Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council
Media statement, 23 Jun 2016
Central Coast Council media
Reporter: Jackie Pearson