COSS zoning request is positive

Gosford Council has resolved to support the addition of a special new Environmental Zone to the proposed new LEP tailored specifically for Coastal Open Space System (COSS) lands.

The mayor has strongly espoused this approach in a number of interviews on local ABC, the most recent being on May 11, when he said "our major concern will be how we protect our COSS lands... we have taken the position to say that we will submit our LEP submission [to NSW Planning] on the condition that we get a new E zone for our COSS lands ... We are saying no to RE1."

When the Draft LEP went on exhibition early last year, Council proposed that COSS lands be zoned RE1, that is as general park land.

Submissions on the DLEP universally condemned this zoning with many requesting E2, the closest available after E1 which is reserved for National Parks.

The problem I saw with E2 however was that it permitted development such as Bed and Breakfast accommodation, dwelling houses and roads, almost as much as RE1.

As a result, our DLEP submission requested that a new National Parks type zoning be created especially for COSS.

The last publicity in relation to COSS zoning was quite negative, surrounding Peter Freewater's allegations in February regarding Council's internal discussions (Gosford Central Community News, March 13).

Whichever way Council were really heading at that point only Council knows but at least the pot has been stirred and a welcome positive approach has emerged.

Email, 12 May 2011 Ian Bull, Killcare