Medical centre approval deferred again

Consideration by Gosford Council of an application for a medical centre in Umina has been deferred again.

This time, the applicant will be asked to clarify issues relating to waste disposal and emergency patient set-down areas.

Cr Robert Bell asked whether an emergency patient set-down area was provided.

The council's director of development and health, Ms Colleen Worthy-Jennings, replied there was no designated area.

Cr Terri Latella asked about vehicle access for waste disposal.

Council officers commented that waste would be pushed up to the roadway from the basement carpark on garbage pick-up days in 240 litre bins.

Medical waste would also be removed safely by a private contractor.

Cr Latella also said that plans to locate a delivery space in the basement car park were insufficient.

She said that the lack of parking may cause traffic congestion and patients to have to walk substantial distances.

Council officers replied that a shortfall in car spaces had been "settled" with a substantial fee being lodged in the developers' contribution fund.

This was the third time the application had come before council in four months.

Council considered the application on November 2 but deferred it to the Council meeting on November 24.

The application was withdrawn from the meeting as sewer design issues had not been addressed by the applicant.

The application will now be brought back to council at its meeting of February 8.

Plans for the medical centre date back 15 years, with approval for one design granted in February 2002.

The current application was lodged in June last year.

Council officers have recommended approval of the plans.

Lyle Stone, Council agenda DH.2, February 2