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Last week’s ‘Let’s Talk Gosford’ event has been heralded a success by Central Coast Council but some residents are less than impressed.
By Jacquelene Pearson
According to Central Coast Council the ‘Let’s Talk Gosford’ drop-in sessions and public hearing “resonated with the Central Coast community, with over 300 conversations hosted at last week’s drop-in information sessions and public hearing.
“Let’s Talk Gosford offered the community an insight into 10 diverse projects planned or already underway by council in Gosford,” a CC Council media release said.
Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Dr Alice Howe, said the council thanked the community for taking the time to provide input and comments to the projects on display, including those which are currently open for consultation.
“It is vital the community feels a sense of ownership in the revitalisation of Gosford, which will have a major impact on the opportunities available for the entire Central Coast,” Dr Howe said.
“Everything that is being planned is aimed at driving economic and social development, through higher order jobs, education, health, tourism and general business opportunities.”
Administrator Rik Hart said CC Council wanted the benefits of a revitalised Gosford to flow on to the entire Central Coast and to ensure the region was a major attractor not only for people who come to live, but also for investment whether it be from government or private enterprise.
“The feedback collected through the Let’s Talk Gosford campaign will be used to inform decision-making to ensure the outcomes for Gosford reflect our community’s values.”
Several residents who attended the public hearing regarding the council’s proposal to reclassify community land in Mann St were less complimentary of the event. The Point held a webinar about the hearing and drop-in sessions which is available on our YouTube channel.
Residents who spoke with The Point after the hearing said they attended to oppose the reclassification and sale of the land at 73 and 75 Mann Street, Gosford.
They told us over 20 people, excluding council staff and the hired moderator, attended the hearing. Those who wanted to attend had to make their way under the Brian McGowan Bridge to the western side of the stadium.
They were then met by a security guard at a side gate. The security guard pointed in the direction of a marquee. There was only one entry to the plastic marquee.
There was one fan, black chairs and it was very hot.
The facilitator’s name was Michael Murray. Residents questioned him at the beginning of the hearing about potential connections to CC Council but he told those present that he fulfilled the criteria.
A representative of Central Coast Council then presented and spoke to several slides to give a timeline and explanation of their desire to reclassify and sell the land.
Residents who spoke during the hearing included Zina Harije, Joy Cooper, Wolfgang Koerner, Kay Williams, Vicki Scott and Gary Blaschke. Others made statements from the floor.
The Point has been told that no one who spoke at the hearing was in favour of the reclassification or sale of the land. The council also accepted submissions at the hearing which was not explained to the public prior to the event.
One person, called David, who didn’t disclose his last name, put his hand up to state he was in favour of the reclassification.
Gosford Waterfront Alliance and Friends of the Performing Arts Precinct member, Joy Cooper, said it was obvious that those present were not only concerned about the reclassification of the Mann St land but with “problems right across the board with council and everyone was articulate and persistent.
“At 6.15pm the facilitator of the meeting attempted to wrap it up but members of the public wanted to keep speaking because the meeting was advertised as running to 7pm,” Ms Cooper said.
She said she found the choice of a marquee behind the stadium a peculiar venue for a public hearing.
“People had to stop talking when the freight train went through because they couldn’t be heard over the sound of the train.
“Notes were taken by council staff and not by an independent body. At the end I actually said, ‘OK everyone, put your hand up if you are in favour of this’ and one person put their hand up. Then I said ‘Put your hand up if you are against’ and everyone else put their hand up.”
“Council has already sold $62 million worth of our property because they said they were forced to by a commercial bank. They tell us now all the finances are in place and they have done an amazing job. If that is the case why do they keep selling off the silverware.”
Residents said the facilitator told them he was required to make a report back to council within a short timeframe.
A resident who did not wish to be named said he believed the choice of venue for the public meeting was an insult to the community and should be reported to the Office of Local Government.
The CC Council media release about the success of Let’s Talk Gosford did not mention next steps in relation to the community land and 73 and 75 Mann Street.
Projects still open for consultation include the draft Central Coast Street Design Manual, Central Coast Local Housing Strategy and the Kibble Park Place Plan.
To keep up-to-date with the Let’s Talk Gosford program, and to have your say, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/gosford
