Current planning strategy was obsolete before it started

In Peninsula News 140, of May 1, 2006, it was reported that the Draft Peninsula Urban Directions Strategy was adopted by Gosford Council - a strategy that has not been superseded since.

The report failed to mention that the Draft Strategy was outdated and obsolete even before it was adopted with amendments by councillors.

The PUDS assumed that the town centre would average four residential storeys above ground floor shops, applicable in four growth scenarios: 1. Uniform Growth - Lower Intensity; 2. Uniform Growth - Higher Intensity; 3. Current Controls, effectively no town centre development; and 4. Consolidated Growth, the recommended strategy;.

This changed from four storeys to five and six in Umina, Ettalong and Woy Woy above ground floor shops.

Therefore, information in the strategy does not apply to the three town centres due to the changed building heights and the impact this will have on all three town centres based on convenience, safety, transport, road network, parking and services available.

The consultant's information was dismissed by the councillors except Crs Holstein, Brooks and Doyle.

Was it because they knew the motion adopted was not based on the findings of the Peninsula Urban Directions Strategy and therefore could not be supported?

This continuing strategy is misleading, inaccurate and non-compliant, and should be referred for legal comment and possible action.

Letter, 6 Dec 2017

Norman Harris, Umina