COSS under threat, says Trust

Completion of Gosford's Coastal Open Space System (COSS) is under threat with the increasing influence of "short-term, short-sighted pro-development forces", according to Kilcare Wagstaffe Trust president Mr Eric Tucker.

In the president's annual letter, he wrote: "Unfortunately, vested interests within the pro-development forces are a threat to both the natural environment of the Coast and also to the very life style that people seek to maintain on the coast."

Mr Tucker said the threat was of particular concern for the completion of the vision that established the Coast Open Space System (COSS) over 20 years ago.

"It is essential that adequate funds are made available to accelerate the process to undertake the detailed environmental studies that will identify the key areas to be incorporated into COSS.

"This is particularly important in relation to the areas west of the Brisbane Water, the so-called Western COSS.

"We must remember that once an area of natural bushland is developed it is lost forever."

He said the Trust was "dedicated to supporting a pragmatic, scientifically-based and balanced approach on environmental matters".

"We believe the key is to obtain the facts while concurrently ensuring adequate effective communication is taking place within the community.

"We will continue to lobby and seek sufficient funds from government and business to continue to preserve environmentally important areas within the Gosford Council area."

Mr Tucker said the Trust was not against development: "Rather we are in favour of planned development that takes into consideration the long-term needs, expectations and desires of people in the local community.

"We are against short-term, short-sighted developments that are out of step with the local community.

"We need a clear vision from our elected community leaders as to the type of community they see for the Central Coast five, 10 and 20 years from now.

"Does Gosford City Council see a future Central Coast based on a Noosa or Port Douglas model with practical and aesthetic height restrictions and developments, or does it prefer a Surfers Paradise model based on chaotic high rise developments?"

Mr Tucker said the Trust was "working with other groups in the area to ensure that guidelines and rules are put in place with respect to future developments so that they truly take into consideration the local communities views and preferences".

He said the Trust would be taking a more proactive approach on key environment and community issues.

The Killcare Wagstaffe Trust would continue to "preserve the natural values of the area and its general ambience, and promote a sense of community and place", he said.

"During the past two to three years the level of influence and power of the pro-development forces has increased significantly within all levels of government in Australia," Mr Tucker said.

In response to this, the Trust had raised its profile by publicly expressing views on a wide range of environmental and community issues.

Mr Tucker said that issues to be discussed during the next year ranged from the conversion of underground and electrical power in certain areas to the redevelopment of Hardys Bay foreshore and Killcare Surf Life Saving Club.

He said the future redevelopment of the surf club was a good example of where the Trust recommended a proactive approach to a community issue.

The Trust would prefer to canvas the needs, views and expectations of the local community and then develop a simple and succinct set of guidelines on location, height, visual impact and functionality, he said

Newsletter, June 15 Eric Tucker, Killcare Wagstaffe Trust