Peninsula News 346

Page 1

Peninsula Community Access Edition 346

News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940

30 June 2014

Fibre-to-the-node to come to Woy Woy The NBN Co and Telstra have reached an agreement to provide fibre-to-the-node broadband to Woy Woy as well as Umina. Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks said the number of premises to be covered in Woy Woy would be announced once planning and design work was completed. She said the agreement expanded the trial already announced in Umina. End users are expected to be eligible to connect to high speed services in 2015. Ms Wicks said that the project would provide much needed relief for the region, which has traditionally had poor broadband infrastructure. “We have taken the steps to get this project on track after so many years of misinformation and frustration,” Ms Wicks said. “These upgrades will truly revolutionise the way people

connect in their homes and businesses. “It is vitally important we don’t waste another four years waiting for these upgrades.” Under the project, the NBN Co and Telstra will cooperate to design, plan and construct the fibre to the node network. Once construction is complete, the NBN Co will cooperate with industry to finalise the design of FTTN products and connect endusers. Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the reform of the NBN project has resulted in a sharp increase in construction activity. “We went to the election promising to get the NBN project done sooner and at less cost,” Mr Turnbull said. “Today’s announcement shows we are delivering on that promise.” Media release, 27 Jun 2014 Tim Sowden, Office of Lucy Wicks MP

Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher, Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt MP and Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks MP at the announcement in Canberra

Council rejects ‘threat to democracy’ Gosford councillors have rejected as a “threat to democracy” a proposal from council general manager Mr Paul Anderson, giving him power to determine all planning applications that he deemed were in accordance with council’s policies. Under current policy, the general manager is able to determine applications below $15 million providing there are less than six objections to the proposal. Councillors voted unanimously for the decision to “make no alterations to the delegations of the CEO”. Cr Vicki Scott spoke against the recommendation saying she was “really surprised” when she read of the proposal to change the general manager’s delegations. “I only saw this on the agenda, like the rest of the members of the

public; that was the first time I saw it.” She said it was a “threat to democratic integrity” and it would be a “sad day” if it ever happened. “Councillors are elected by the community and have a responsibility to represent the interests of the community. “The general manager was not elected to represent the interests of the community. “I understand it’s about streamlining processes but this would be at a cost of representation to the public. “We wouldn’t be needed,” said Cr Scott. Cr Chris Burke echoed Cr Scott’s sentiments. “I believe it is our democratic right to represent the people and I don’t want that right taken away,” said Cr Burke. Cr Hilary Morris said giving the general manager authority to make such decisions “would have

removed the opportunity for the elected representatives of Gosford citizens to consider developments which might be controversial”. “The Greens see the attempt to remove discussion from the public arena of the council chamber to behind closed doors as the same ideology as the State Government’s proposed but rejected planning laws. “The Greens congratulate all the councillors present for standing up for the local community against this erosion of democracy.” The report to council by the director governance and planning said that the current restrictions means determinations of matters are delayed pending consideration by council. “In keeping with the council’s tag ‘Open for Business’, residents and ratepayers would be better served if the general manager could determine all applications that are in accordance with council

policies,” the report stated. Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has rejected the suggestion that the proposal would have reduced the rights of the community. “At a time when the City (of Gosford) needs to get moving and encourage investment in our major town centres, a regular review of the general manager’s delegation is entirely appropriate”, said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales. “Clearly the motion had nothing to do with compromising the rights of the community nor affecting the ability of councillors to be involved in the planning process”. “We support the need for the general manager to be able to deal with development applications more efficiently and in shorter time frames so we did not necessarily have a problem with the increase in his powers of delegation”, said Matthew Wales.

“It has always been our position that council meetings should not be overly burdened with deliberations on development applications where, providing they are compliant, the matter can be dealt with by staff. “Regardless, the increase in delegation to the GM would still have enabled an application to be called up by councillors to a council meeting if there were significant objections or community concerns”, said Mr Wales. Gosford Council Agenda GOV.14, 24 Jun 2014 Kaitlin Watts, 24 Jun 2014 Media release, 25 Jun 2014 Hillary Morris, Central Coast Greens Media staterment, 27 Jun 2014 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

THIS ISSUE contains 41 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info


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