Election promises fall short, says taskforce
Federal election funding promises for the Woy Woy Peninsula leaves a lot to be desired, according to the Central Coast Taskforce.
Labor has committed $3 million to Peninsula community projects, according to the Taskforce which is backed by John Singleton.
The only known project the Liberals have announced, over and above roads, is the $1.5 million for the PCYC at Umina.
"The Peninsula commitments are not adequate," said Taskforce chairman Mr Chris Holstein.
"The Peninsula is a major area of the Central Coast, a substantial residential area.
"It's a hub for the region," Mr Holstein said.
Labor has promised $2.5 million for the extension to the Ettalong Foreshore, $2 million for a satellite primary health care facility fit out on the Peninsula and $500,000 to scope the feasibility of building a new road from Woy Woy to the M1.
"Neither of the parties are up to scratch on what is required for the Peninsula," Mr Holstein said.
"The Central Coast Taskforce demands more information from Labor on the promised $60 million for Central Coast roads, and the breakdown for the Peninsula, and challenges the Liberals to commit more than the miserly $18.3 million for roads promised for the Central Coast.
"The Liberals have promised $2.7 million in roads funding for the Peninsula while there is $3.8 million for one road in Copacabana and $12million into Dobell.
"The road funding commitments seem to be lopsided at this stage," said Mr Holstein.
"The Liberals' funding is extremely unbalanced with regard to the needs of the Peninsula.
"We are not saying Copacabana doesn't need it, it does need it.
"The money going to the Peninsula is not adequate by a long, long way."
"In addition we haven't heard what either party is committing for the Peninsula on domestic violence, for youth and for jobs," said Mr Holstein.
Mr Singleton announced on June 14, that rather than backing candidates to run for Central Coast electorates in the July 2 federal election, he had recruited former Gosford mayor and NSW MP Mr Chris Holstein to head the Central Coast Taskforce.
Mr Singleton described Mr Holstein as a "heavy hitter" who would have the job of "keeping the bastards honest".
"The Peninsula's 30,000-plus residents will have an informed and critical take on what the major parties are and are not promising to deliver for the region in the election," Mr Singleton said.
"The Taskforce and Chris will be the political parties' conscience," Mr Singleton said.
"Chris, as spokesman for the Taskforce, is the Central Coast's voice."
Mr Holstein said he would focus on what commitments the two major parties make to the Central Coast in the lead-up to the July 2 poll.
Mr Holstein said he would prefer not to see his role as taskforce chairman as that of an auctioneer, charged with getting ever-increasing spending promises from the major parties.
"I don't call it the auctioneer, I call it the conscience," he said.
"People will always have their opinions but hopefully they will be informed opinions and at the end of the day we might have a government that has a representative here that so desperately needs to keep their seat because, guess what, they know the other party has made the same commitments to the Coast," Mr Holstein said.
"I've found an even bigger stick to hit the politicians with. His name is Chris Holstein," said Mr Singleton.
Media release, 23 Jun 2016
Chris Holstein, Central Coast Taskforce
Media release, 14 Jun 2016
Interview, 15 Jun 2016
Chris Holstein, Central Coast Taskforce
Reporter: Jackie Pearson