Holstein support for fast ferry

Gosford Cr Chris Holstein has hit back at comments that he is against a fast ferry at Ettalong.

"There is a little bit of misinformation out there that I don't support the fast ferry. I do," Cr Holstein said in a statement to Peninsula News.

"But all of sudden this other development comes forward, including a yacht club which doesn't have water access."

Cr Holstein said there was a concern that if the fast ferry did not happen, that water access may instead be used for the yacht club.

"Some people may ask: Is there in fact an ulterior motive to the fast ferry?" Cr Holstein said.

"There may well be mearit, but the water question still remains.

"Telling me that they are going to build a yacht club without water access is ridiculous.

"Is the ferry dead? Is it only being pursued for water access for future development?"

Cr Holstein said he wanted to be sure of the intentions of the proposal before he gave a lease to Fast Ships, and did not want the applicant to use the fast ferry as an alternative avenue for water access to the yacht club.

Cr Holstein said that other councillors attended the same meeting and agreed with the concern.

"I still support a fast ferry, but all of a sudden there is a $50 million development alongside it," Cr Holstein said.

Lyle Stone, September 1