Gosford Central Community News - March 14, 2011 - Page 3
Freewater won’t back down
News
Agents lose licences
reens Councillor and Candidate for the seat of Gosford Dr Peter Freewater said he is not afraid of councillors after they threatened him over comments he made in regard to the proposed new Coastal Open Space System (COSS) zonings in the draft LEP.
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In a confidential Council meeting with planning staff, Councillors gave their support to rezone COSS lands as recreational (RE1) rather than give them a conservation zoning (E2). “This decision was made despite thousands of comments from the community demanding that these lands be given an environmental zoning to protect them from development,” said Dr Freewater. “Not only does the RE1 zoning allow development to proceed but, because the LEP will be legislation, the prevention of development and the protection of these environmentally sensitive lands will become extremely difficult,” he said.
Cr Freewater went public with the story on ABC radio on Monday, February 14. Dr Freewater said the following day at another confidential Council meeting he was aggressively criticised and repeatedly insulted by fellow Councillors, especially by Cr Chris Holstein. Cr Freewater said he was also threatened with Code of Conduct charges and was asked if he could afford lawyers. “I was accused of political grandstanding because I was making a stand to protect environmentally sensitive land and the engendered species that inhabit our nature reserves,” he said. “The tirade of abuse
would have continued were it not for the Mayor, Laurie Maher, calling for order and more civilised discussion. “I am not afraid of Chris Holstein, or anyone else at Gosford Council and I will continue to support the wishes of the community I serve. “I did not become a politician to make new friends at Council. “I have sacrificed much to protect Gosford’s natural resources from Gosford’s own Council. “That was a big part of my election platform for Council and I stand by it,” Cr Freewater said. Media Release, 18 Feb 2011 Peter Freewater, Greens
wo real estate agents and a Gosford agency have had their licenses cancelled following involvement in unlawful practices that resulted in them gaining a $500,000 profit from a property sale in detriment to their client.
T Candidate misses forums abor candidate for The Entrance Mr David Mehan has questioned the absence of Liberal candidate Ms Chris Spence from three Meet the Candidates forums organised by the Gosford Uniting Church.
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“This is the third public candidates forum that the Liberal candidate has been unable to attend’, said Mr Mehan. “Candidates have a duty to make themselves available to the public. “In this, the Liberal
candidate is a failure. “The Liberal candidate either feels he doesn’t have to work to get himself elected or he has something to hide. “I am available to attend and debate the Liberal candidate.
“He must make himself available or he doesn’t deserve to be elected to The Entrance state electorate,” said Mr Mehan. Media Release, 7 Mar 2011 David Mehan, ALP
Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Mr Steve Griffin said Fair Trading had taken disciplinary action under the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002 against Misteri Pty Ltd and its director Mr Kevin Barnes and employee Ms Nicole Mars, now known as Nicole Barnes. “The corporation, Misteri Pty Ltd, has also been permanently disqualified from being
involved in the direction, management or conduct of any business for which a licence under the Act is required,” said Mr Griffin. “Mr Barnes and Ms Mars have been disqualified for ten years and six years, respectively.” The action taken by Fair Trading took place following a complaint from Housing NSW concerning the sale of a property at 1-3 Walmsley Rd, Ourimbah. Consumers and traders
who were clients of Misteri Pty Ltd, trading as Raine and Horne Gosford, should contact Fair Trading if they have any outstanding concerns. The administrator for Misteri Pty Ltd has advised Fair Trading that the business has ceased trading and closed its doors. Media Release, 4 Mar 2011 Teresa Mullan, NSW Fair Trading