Council to discuss foreshore oversight

A strategy policy workshop will be held by Gosford Council to determine if committees will be established to supervise projects listed in its Civic Infrastructure Strategy, including several projects on the Peninsula.

The move came after Cr Terri Latella called for the establishment of a committee to oversee the Ettalong Beach Foreshore enhancement plan.

"I can't see why something as important as the enhancement of that area doesn't have a committee overseeing it," Cr Latella said.

Cr Jim Macfadyen said he had some concern over the recommendation.

"I don't think there is any need to set up a committee to look at a particular issue," Cr Macfadyen said.

Cr Latella said that the need to establish a committee was because of the need to ensure transparency on the matter.

"It is crucial in relation to transparency and community participation," Cr Latella said.

"There are issues with the future development of this area and unless we do have a committee that is supported by the community we are going to have some very big problems."

Cr Vicki Scott spoke against the move, instead calling for a strategy policy meeting to be held to investigate the need of committees for all projects identified.

Cr Scott also asked that the projects be given a priority listing.

The council referred the matter to it strategy policy workshop on the motion of Cr Scott.

The projects for the Peninsula include development of the Woy Woy waterfront, streetscaping the Umina town centre, "foreshore enhancement" at Ettalong, a coastal walk from Pearl Beach to Umina and refurbishment of the Umina Library.

A recommendation from council officers had stated that only one of the Peninsula-based projects, the Umina library refurbishment, needed a committee.

Council resolved that its integrated planning committee work together with the Civic Infrastructure Strategy Task Force to implement the strategy and that the committee also review the needs of 2025 process and take into consideration any project that may come from it.

At council's meeting of November 1, Cr Peter Hale said it was important that council sat down and decided in the near future which projects it would put forward to make sure that as council developed those projects it had a plan in place of how they would be developed.

Cr Chris Holstein also stated that it would be important for the list to be trimmed if it was to get community support for a rates levy.

"It is a massive ask to get community support," Cr Holstein said.

"You're going to have to look damn close and start making some determinations because really it's not tight enough.

"I don't think the new councillors are appreciative of the work you'd have to do to get that message across.

"We need to tighten this right up.

"Whatever that list is at the end of the day, you won't go anywhere unless you have some public support for it."

Cr Hale also noted that it was important to involve the community in the decision-making of the projects.

"One thing I want to make sure with this strategy is that we get public consultation," Cr Hale said.

Council agenda COR.48, November 1