Greens to start de-merger petitions
Central Coast Greens are preparing a petition "to create two new Local Government Areas - Wyong and Gosford".
"We can confirm that a small number of signatures have already been received from both new Council areas to be created," said spokesman Mr Wolfgang Koemer.
"The proposals are to create two new local government areas - Wyong and Gosford - and the completed forms will be submitted to the local government minister in accordance with provisions under the Local Government Act.
"We are responding to long-standing calls from many community members to have a definite say on the future of their Council, something that did not occur in the lead-up to the 2016 amalgamation.
"The proposal to de-merge the current Central Coast Council and to re-establish new Councils in Wyong and Gosford will provide a definite opportunity for the views of Central Coast residents to be counted and heard.
"It is a necessary and basic step in the democratic process that has been missed so far.
"The Central Coast needs to take this step before moving on, either as the amalgamated Central Coast Council or with Wyong or Gosford Councils created anew.
"Although the final decision will sadly still not be up to residents but to the Boundaries Commission and the Minister, we strongly support the right of residents to take the case for a de-merger to the authorities."
Mr Koemer said there were currently no plans by the Greens for a separate proposal to create a new local government area for the Peninsula, "although this is technically a possibility and open to any voting resident to initiate".
SOURCE:
Media statement, 29 May 2021
Wolfgang Koemer, Central Coast Greens