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FRE
December 4, 2012
Your independent local newspaper
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Issue 47
Ph: 4325 7369
Local members speak against Landing petition representative group of 17 people from the Gosford Waterfront Action Group (GWAG) attended Parliament House on Thursday, November 22, for the debate on the 10,700 signature Save Gosford Waterfront petition in the Legislative Assembly.
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Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein presented the petition and made the opening address to the discussion. “I acknowledge that we have one of the most beautiful waterfronts in NSW and I would not want to see that ruined, nor do my colleagues in the State Government or on the Gosford City Council,” said Mr Holstein. “The Gosford Challenge is all about connecting the city and the people with the waterfront so that it can be enjoyed for what it is. “The development of Gosford will happen because it has to happen. “There is no choice in the matter for Gosford Council or for the State Government. “The overwhelming majority of the Gosford population will not accept a do-nothing approach, but it is about doing the right thing. “Although we are experiencing some growing pains I am confident that we have learned from our earlier mistakes. “With a spirit of compromise on all sides in the debate we can move our city forward to become a place where people will want to live and where business will thrive as part of a living city,” said Mr Holstein. Member for The Entrance
Mr Chris Spence and Member for Wyong Mr Darren Webber also spoke against the petition. “Their statements clearly indicated they did not realise the real purpose of the petition in that the petitioners wished to see the Gosford Waterfront remain as public land and in the public domain with no limitations placed on public access,” said GWAG representative Mr Col Hodgson. Members speaking in support of the petition were Member for Canterbury Ms Linda Burney, Member for Cessnock Mr Clayton Barr and Member for Balmain Mr Jamie Parker. “These three speakers were all thoroughly prepared showing they were aware the major concern of GWAG has been the loss of public waterfront land to developers,” said Mr Hodgson. “They clearly acknowledged the loss of public access would be very difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.” Mr Parker commented, “One thing is clear, we know that alienation of public land, waterfront land in particular, is always done in the interests of developers, but once that land is lost to the public, it is lost forever”. “Redress at a later stage by demolishing buildings
Members of the Gosford Waterfront Action Group on the steps of Parliament House
and reopening spaces is next to impossible.” Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Mr Brad Hazzard was the final member to speak. In his speech, he expressed his concern that the buildings in stages two and three would alienate the foreshore.
A result he said neither he nor the community would find comforting. “I promise the people in the gallery that I am absolutely keen to ensure that the Central Coast Development Corporation does not get it wrong, liaises big time with residents in the community, and finds a
way to enliven Gosford, but not to the point of detracting from opportunities to access public space on the water’s edge,” said Mr Hazzard. “A balance must be struck. “I acknowledge the effort made by people in the gallery in travelling to Sydney from Gosford.
“I hope you take the remarks I have made in good faith and accept my assurance that the Government will keep working with you.” Media Release, 29 Nov 2012 Col Hodgson, GWAG