Peninsula No 47
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News
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PAPER INC Print Post Approved PP255003/04388 30 July 2002
Correa Bay report finally released The Correa Bay report has finally been released, two years after it was submitted to Gosford Council.
Ettalong Hotel with the four-storey Ettalong War Memorial Club in the background
Four storey development to proceed at Ettalong The four-storey redevelopment of the Ettalong Hotel is to go ahead after Gosford Council decided not to defend court proceedings appealing against its refusal to permit the project. The four-storey redevelopment, which will include the hotel and 14 residential units, will proceed as the developers had originally planned. Cr Debra Wales has welcomed the decision. The council was told Bitannia Pty Ltd and Rossfield Nominess (ACT) Pty Ltd had filed a Class 1 application in the Land and Environment Court against Council’s refusal of proposal for 384 Ocean View Rd, Ettalong Beach. The refusal was on the grounds that the proposal was inconsistent with the Draft Local Environment Plan (LEP) and supporting Draft Development Control Plan (DCP) with respect to "desired character" for the Ettalong Beach Town Centre. The council invited the applicant to submit a new application for a three-storey development. Council officers reported that the council could either defend
the appeal, at a cost of around $100,000, or consent to the developer's original plans. Council was told that in Class 1 proceedings, there could be no order for costs, so even if the appeal was successfully defended, the council would still have to pay court costs. In a statement to Peninsula News, Cr Debra Wales welcomed the decision. "Based on legal advice, it was clear that council was never going to successfully defend the appeal. "It would have been a waste of over $100,000 of ratepayers money", said Cr Wales. "I supported this development because it is exactly what the Ettalong Beach town centre needs. "It was carefully designed following extensive community consultations and will set a benchmark for future high quality buildings in the precinct. "Council's decision to allow the development to proceed by way of consent orders was entirely correct. "This development complied in every way and should never have been refused in the first place. "I am pleased that nine out of 10 councillors supported the decision which will now allow
construction to proceed later this year. "This excellent development will see the end of the old ramshackle Ettalong pub and breathe new life into the town centre. "It will mean local construction jobs and sustainable employment in the hospitality industry." Cr Wales said that the development was timely in that it coincided with the recent announcement of the Government funding for the fast ferry wharf on the Ettalong foreshore. "It is important to note that the development also mirrors the objectives of the NSW Coastal Council Design Guidelines and will act as a catalyst for further improvements to building stock in the Ettalong Beach town centre. " Th i s de ci si on wi l l be welcomed by the local community and the town centre business operators. "It is also encouraging to see the design comply with the original recommendations of the draft Character LEP. "The town will benefit greatly from this decision in terms of both investment and jobs," said Cr Wales. Council agenda FS.098, press release, July 23
Everglades
The report found sediment from the Bulls Hill quarry and leachate from the Woy Woy tip have been primarily responsible for the degradation of Correa Bay in recent years. The report is entitled "A quantitative and qualitative study of the environmental status of Correa Bay and its catchment, July 2000" and was compiled by the Correa Bay Water Quality Management Committee. Both Gosford Council and the Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) were strongly criticised for their actions in the decade leading up to the July 2000 report. Gosford Council was manager of the tip and regulator of the quarry and DLWC was manager and regulator of the quarry. The report found that the tip leachate problem had, belatedly, been contai ned bu t t he sedimentation problem had not. However, both organisations have questioned the report conclusions and have denied suggestions of negligence or liability. In a 38-page addendum published with the report, officers from both organisations claimed
that the report did not provide proof that the Bulls Hill quarry was primarily responsible for sedimentation of Correa Bay. They listed other activities, including Robson's quarry, the rail tunnel and the abattoir, which may also have contributed. The DLWC response was critical of the scientific method used to measure levels of marine life in the bay. The council response stated that, at the time in question, the council was attempting to close as many as 74 illegal quarries and had to implement new regulations to upgrade each of its tips. It stated that the leachate problem at the tip had been adequately addressed and that the council took "direct action" in relation to the Bull's Hill quarry at the time breaches were identified. The report is available on the council's web site, www.gosford.nsw.gov.au. It will also be one of two subjects for discussion at a public meeting to be held at the Everglades Country Club at 10am on Sunday, August 11. The other topic is the status of plans to eliminate the Rawson Rd level crossing. Council website, July 26
Work continues on Riviera development Work on the "Riviera" development in Umina continues despite objections from residents. Gosford Council received a petition, with 43 signatures, from residents of Umina objecting to the "Riviera" development in Trafalgar Ave. The residents claimed the building was not in keeping with agreed height limits, off-street parking proposed would not be sufficient for additional units, and that approval would set a dangerous precedent which could alter the nature of the community.
Council officer Mr Gary Lofts told Peninsula News (last issue) that work had been stopped on the building, following resident claims that a fourth storey was being built without approval. However, builders were allowed to continue work on the site. The agents for the developer said that they had received notification from council to remedy several minor noncompliance issues, but no stopwork order had been received. Jonathan Reichard, council agenda P.071, July 23