A recommendation goes to the Council-under-administration meeting on November 28 to take no further action on a proposed sale of the land to the shopping centre in Woy Woy.
The report to be tabled says in the targeted survey of peninsula residents 46 per cent voted for the sale and 49 voted against the sale.
“In summary, the independent community survey does not provide conclusive evidence either way as to whether or not a clear majority of the local community favours sale or retention,” the report said.
“It tends to suggest that Council may need to provide further information and guidance about the alternative options before a clear majority either way can be established.”
In the poll that was open to anyone who visited the council’s website, 92 per cent “expressed their preference to retain the site in council ownership”.
Council said a total of 1581 responses were received during the polling period.
A total of 126 responses (8.0%) expressed their preference to proceed with the sale based on the commitment to allocate funds to an extensive street tree planting program.
Council received more than 25 letters from residents and community groups expressing support for the retention of the Austin Butler Reserve Access land in Council ownership.
“Council has also received seven letters expressing support for the sale of the Austin Butler Reserve Access from shopping centre tenants and from businesses that supply services to the
Peninsula Plaza shopping centre,” the report stated.
Among those letters was one from anchor tenant Woolworths.
Council said the Woolworths representative made the following observations:
– Woolworths was supportive of the sale of land to the owners of the plaza as it would improve the safety concerns that have been raised by both customers and team members
– Woolworths had engaged an independent consultant to provide an audit of the carpark with the results to be shared with Council as soon as they are available
– Woolworths understood the owners were conducting a local survey on top of the online survey with the results being tabled to Council early next week for consideration
– Woolworths supported the initiative of the Administrator to enable the funds from the sale to support a long term greening program.
But Council said it had received no information about the survey methodology or about the survey results.
“Ceasing the proposed sale process provides a clear demonstration of Council’s respect for the views of the community that it is entrusted to lead and to serve,” the report states.
Administrator Rik Hart will make the final decision. In putting forward the survey option, Mr Hart said he would let the community decide.
