Department to acquire laneway

Gosford Council has resolved to support the Department of Education's compulsory acquisition of a section of an unformed laneway adjacent to the Ettalong Beach Public School.

The approval was subject to all council's costs being met by the Department.

Council was recently told by the Department of Education and Training that it wanted to compulsory acquire a section of unformed laneway which currently bisects the playground of the Ettalong Beach Public School.

The area of laneway is between Lots 15 and 16 (fronting Karingi St) and Lots 28 and 29 (fronting Uligandi St).

The school owns further lots to the east which have been developed as a playground, school buildings and other facilities.

An inspection of the laneway by council showed that the laneway stopped at the boundary of Lots 14 and 27.

The laneway becomes a grassed area which is maintained by the Ettalong Beach Public School and used as a playground.

A fence limits access from the laneway to the playground area of the school.

A report from by council officers stated that the "disposal of the laneway will not affect the amenity or access to nearby private properties".

The matter was also referred to the relevant directorates of council with no objections received.

Public comment will be sought by the department as part of the compulsory acquisition process.

Council agenda FS.68, May 24