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Collapse Issue 460 - 17 Dec 2018Issue 460 - 17 Dec 2018
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Woy Woy designated as town centre like Gosford
New planning controls to increase residential density
Firefighters rescue trapped ducks
Sporties 'determined to reinvent itself' over summer
No Woy Woy masterplan before 2020, councillors told
Greenfield Rd funding is 'testament to united community'
Consultation about skate park upgrade
Chamber calls for comment on new planning controls
Campaign attracts 48 submissions against proposal
Dave Abrahams to run for Robertson
Holstein warns small business may lose in regional plan
Accidents continue at railway crossing, says Tesch
Peninsula heritage grants total $30,000
Community group receives grant for urban shade
Community association calls for tree plan submissions
Remind politicians: Walking track needs repair
Mixed use development proposed for Hardys Bay
Churches to hold Festival of Nine Lessons
Students gather at youth leadership forum
Couple celebrates 60 years of marriage
Class lists delayed due to fluctuating student numbers
Community carols to be held at Hardys Bay
Ferry service to Gosford carols
Tree sales to support grandparents program
Umina is PCYC club of the year
Men's shed receives grant for dust extraction
Bungaree weekend was 'joyous'
Events calendar for Ettalong is drafted
Construction certificate issued for Bourke Rd units
Certificate issued for five-unit development
Mixed-use development to proceed in Killcare
Killcare fence decision deferred
Marine life increases in Hardys Bay, say residents
Briefing about ocean oil and gas search
Woy Woy dog receives Christmas treat
Report of theft in the Bays
Rotary club sponsors soy milk machines
Year of slow progress for community association
CWA branch sends Christmas package to the Pillaga
Driftwood Christmas tree erected
Cinema under the stars
Free passes to leisure centre
Umina CWA supports Coast Shelter
Pearl farm offers tour of its facility
New ownership for veterinary practice
Council says drought continues despite rain
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Council claims are bureaucratic waffle and pettifogging
Have five connected council meeting venues
Insulting energy suppliers do not deserve success
Housing strategy claim is patently absurd
Media initiative is desperately needed
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Woy Woy is good hospice location, says campaigner
Bowlers raise $16,000 for hospital equipment
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Ettalong resident wins inaugural poetry competition
Choir rounds out the year
British publisher launches debut novel
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Most Peninsula school canteens assessed as healthy
Schools celebrate teacher accreditation
School will revert to long lunch and short recess
Gold cup in Colour Run
Bands play at college concert
Special education classes give musical performances
End-of-year drama
Goalball success
Grandparents day
Students decorate homework centre
Students enter science competition
Inter-school music workshop at Umina
Students win silver medals
School performances finish
New student leaders at Umina
New exhibition opens in Ettalong
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Stridsman is runner-up on Sportsperson of the Year
Touch football teams crowned NSW champions
Upgrade for Austin Butler Oval
Best batting performance by Spirit this year
Soccer club announces coaching appointments
Administrator wins $26,000 for club
Medals won at junior carnival
Free putt putt golf sessions
Woy Woy swim club competes
Waterview bowling carnival
Bowling club of the year

Council claims are bureaucratic waffle and pettifogging

We have a Council that can't deal with any of the crucial issues facing the city but can find time to harass and threaten community-group members trying to make some small environmental improvement in their neighbourhood (Council to close successful community garden, Peninsula News edition 459).

The Council claims that the garden "would cause a danger and impede pedestrians", but this is plainly bureaucratic waffle.

If pedestrians were using the area, the garden could never have been established in the first place, and the supposed danger seems to hinge on the Council's failure to provide adequate lighting, not on the action of the gardening group.

This is all of a piece with Council's one-time attempt to prevent verge parking in un-kerbed streets, on the grounds that it impeded pedestrian access, where, in fact, verges were to uneven for anybody to walk on, and pedestrians had to walk on the street pavement, making verge parking the logical solution to the problem.

This pettifogging interpretation of rules not designed to deal with the real-world situation on the Peninsula is apparently based on a complaint from one person, but we are not told the grounds for this complaint.

Did the Council ever think to ask how many people favour the garden, as opposed to the one person who doesn't like it?

Much was made in the election of the intention to be transparent in such matters, but Councillors seem to revert to type as soon as they take office.

Let the Council give notice of its intention in this instance and see how much objection/support is engendered.

Council also takes advantage of the fact that, once an order has been issued, the only recourse is to the Court, which few private individuals can afford.

We badly need a legislative change that would bring such trivial affairs under the jurisdiction of NCAT, thus somewhat levelling the playing field in settling disputes of this kind.





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