Condemn sterile high-rise visions

Recent approval by Gosford Council to seek Minister Craig Knowles' approval for the rezoning of the old Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club raises the spectre of further high-rise developments on the Peninsula.

Peninsula residents, protective of their desire to retain a "local village/community" atmosphere and preserve their quality of life (high priorities recognized in the recent Gosford Vision 2025 exercise), want council to appreciate there is a large majority against high-rise development on the Peninsula.

Residents support progress and sustainable development.

They do not support the discredited sterile vision that the only path to future progress is high-rise development.

Such development will forever spoil the unique qualities of the area which we all want to protect and only benefit developers with no long-term commitment to the area.

What great improvements to the vitality of Gosford CBD have the many high-rise apartments in Gosford brought?

The recent petition against re-zoning and further high-rise developments, signed by over 1000 Peninsula residents, sends a clear message to council from the community to 'say no' to high-rise.

Councillors, who were voted in on election platforms similar to Central Coast First - "we believe in genuine community consultation", can know with confidence they have majority community support to make a stand against further high-rise.

Time now councillors, to condemn sterile high-rise visions and open your eyes to a vision of specialised medical facilities built around Gosford Hospital, a Central Coast University at Ourimbah, Tafe colleges and low-rise quality developments which will draw tourists to an unspoilt area.

Councillors can then truly say they have brought real jobs and progress to the Central Coast.

Michael Gillian, Ettalong Beach