Issue 119 June 20, 2017
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
Australia China Theme Park status remains unclear
$3m additional federal funding
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entral Coast Council has welcomed $3m in funding for Tuggerah Lakes Estuary and C a t c h m e n t Improvement as part of the Federal G o v e r n m e n t ’s Improving Your Local Parks and Environment Program.
These funds will add to the $7m Council has already invested in Tuggerah Lakes in the current financial year, resulting in significant improvements in the water quality across the lakes system. Council Group Leader Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said the funds would be dedicated to
whole-of-catchment issues in an effort to reduce the effects of pollutants, litter and environmental vandalism making their way into the lakes. “This funding will support the ongoing implementation of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan, through stormwater upgrades, foreshore enhancement and a range of streambank, wetland and saltmarsh rehabilitation activities in the estuary catchment,” Mr Dowling said. “The project will continue to improve water quality, enhance nearshore areas for recreational use, reduce pollutant loads to the estuary, control invasive species in ecologically sensitive areas,
encourage sustainable use, and educate the local community about the estuary,” he said. The project will build on a decade of estuary planning and management that has resulted in a measurable improvement in water quality and ecological condition of Tuggerah Lakes and the catchment. Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the funding was a clear indication of the lobbying power the new Central Coast Council has, and he is looking forward to more funding flowing to the Coast for the Lakes and other key initiatives. “The Tuggerah Lakes estuary is a jewel in the crown of the Central Coast, offering a unique environment which is
rich in biodiversity and it must be protected,” Mr Reynolds said. “Council is pleased to have this Federal Government support and it will help Council to continue to invest in monitoring and improving the health of our catchments and waterways. “We all have a role to play in protecting our unique environment and waterways and I encourage everyone to get involved.” Residents are urged to report environmental vandalism to Council. The project will commence in July and will run over three years finishing in July 2020. Source: Media release, Jun 19 Central Coast Council media
o n fi d e n t i a l i t y clauses in contracts signed between the former Wyong Council and Australia China Theme Park Pty Ltd (ACTP) continue to prevent Central Coast Council from updating the community about the status of those contracts. ACTP has still not paid $3m to acquire the land at Warnervale that is the subject of the Development Application for the place of worship (DA828/2016). Other media outlets have cast strong doubts over the viability of the land sale contract and ACTP’s ability to complete the land purchase or build the temple, but the latest statement from Council did not provide any new information about the status of the land deal or the development application (DA). “The former Wyong Council entered into
contracts to sell land at Warnervale to ACTP,” a written statement from Central Coast Council said. “Those contracts include confidentiality clauses that bind both parties, and as such, it is not appropriate to comment on the detail. “Council is working actively and carefully to protect the interests of ratepayers and is looking to finalise the contract with ACTP as soon as possible. “Council will make further comment when it is appropriate to do so.” Cardno NSW/ACT Pty Ltd, the consultants who prepared substantial documentation in support of the Buddhist Temple DA, were also unable to comment. Cardno’s Manager of Urban Planning, Mr John O’Grady, said the company had a “very close relationship with the client and we’re not at liberty to comment.”
Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net
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