Over-development is on 'show'

Gosford Cr Jim Macfadyen has attempted to explain why councillors voted in favour of the original Multiplex plan for the Ettalong Leagues Club.

He claimed this was because it offered more open space than the amended plan and the amended plan "just looked like overdevelopment of the site, so council went with the original plan". (Peninsula News, January 27)

The original plan, that readers will recall the State Governments Design Review Panel described as a gross overdevelopment of the site, was "unworkable and should not be given further consideration".

Who do you believe? The panel or the councillor?

I believe that both are right and that we have a choice of a gross over-development or one that just looks like over-development.

What I find most galling is Cr Macfadyen's claim that the plans would be put on show "and that ultimately the public would make a decision on the plans".

According to council's website and a newspaper advertisement, the plans have been on "show" since February 9 in council libraries.

The plans may be at Gosford, Erina and Woy Woy libraries but they are not at Umina Library - the closest library to Ettalong.

If I didn't know better I would have to conclude that something smells about this whole complex issue.

Bryan Ellis, Woy Woy