Protect footpaths from privatisation

Gosford Council has issued a draft policy with the objective to encourage an increase in business activities on public footpaths.

Council intends to subsidise commercial businesses to exploit public land for private profit.

If Council adopts this policy, it will benefit local and foreign retailers and wholesalers who already enjoy the advantage of trading on the best commercial sites on the Central Coast.

They would not be charged the true market rent for their privilege to encroach on the pedestrian footway and their goods and chattels would reduce the open public space available to pedestrians at the business locations.

Council's draft policy can be viewed at some council libraries or on Council's website at www.gosford.nsw.gov.au.

Persons wishing to protect their shrinking open public space from commercial privatisation should lodge their objections in writing to the General Manager and also to all councillors and urge them to vote against the adoption of any policy that encourages or permits any increase in the business activities on public footpaths.

John Collins Woy Woy