Land reclassification continues
The public meetings about land classifications that was scheduled for tonight, April 9, has been rescheduled for May.
Council-under-administration is holding two public hearings into the reclassification of land, making the land easier to sell, and the meetings were going to be held this week.
Those meetings have now been rescheduled for May 8 and May 9. See details at the end of this article.
The Community Environment Network (CEN) has concerns on five parcels of land in particular.
1/ Gosford Bowling Club:
The community has been told this reclassification is necessary to fulfil the council’s vision for the redevelopment of the stadium and waterfront.
“CEN remains deeply concerned that, following the announcement and exhibition of a masterplan for the stadium and waterfront in Gosford, it seems that a process of stakeholder consultation is ongoing with no community input,” CEN said.
“The community currently owns this land.
“What will the long-term dividend be for its reclassification for use as something like a private boutique hotel,” CEN asked.
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2/ 49-51 Mann Street, Gosford:
This tiny sliver of land, adjacent to Henry Parry Drive, backs onto the former Gosford Council building.
The former NSW Government entered a memorandum of understanding to acquire this Gosford CBD site to build a “vertical TAFE” and education precinct, freeing up the current TAFE site across the road.
CEN said negotiations appear to have stalled and it cannot verify whether or not TAFE intends to acquire the site.
“If it is not purchased by the NSW Government for a future public use, we are concerned it will be sold to a private developer,” CEN said.
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3/ 48W Wallarah Road, Gorokan:
This piece of waterfront land separates the Wallarah Bay Recreation Club from the foreshore of Tuggerah Lake.
It has been described by Council as a “stranded asset” but it is, at the moment, a public reserve.
CEN says Council cannot legally pre-empt the outcome
of the reclassification by stating whether it intends to sell the land or lease it over a long-term.
“Either way, the intent is to privatise the land and council’s track record for securing a reasonable dividend back to its residents and ratepayers has been poor ever since it embarked on its public land selloff in 2020,” CEN said.
The Wallarah Bay Recreation Club is a member of the Wyong Leagues Group which owns 11 clubs across NSW.
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4/ Part 2-4, Park Road, The Entrance:
This piece of public land in the heart of The Entrance is also subject to a rezoning at the same time it is being put forward for reclassification.
CEN understands another major club group wishes to develop this land either via a long-term lease or acquisition.
“Either way, the council intends to rezone it from ‘public’ recreation to ‘private recreation’,” CEN said.
“We do not believe that aligns to council’s statements that this reclassification would not change the public’s access to this land.”
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5/ 20 Summerland Road, Summerland Point:
Another piece of public land that includes a recreation club.
CEN wants to know why Council needs to reclassify this land.
“As the northern reaches of the Central Coast are opened up to higher levels of development, we are going to need to retain as
much green space and natural bushland as possible,” CEN said.
“If the intention is to sell or enter a long-term lease for this land, the reclassification should be held over until after the local government election in September.
“Residents and ratepayers deserve to have independent representatives on hand to scrutinise such deals.”
Council resolved to reclassify the parcels of land from community to operational, making then easier to sell, and will hold two public meetings to hear from residents.
The public hearings will be chaired by a person who is independent of Council.
Both written and oral submissions can be made at the meetings.
The public hearings will be held:
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Wednesday, May 8:
6pm – 7:30pm at The Erina Centre, Erina Fair focusing on:
o 18 Dane Drive, Gosford (Lot 2 DP 1011876)
o 49-51 Mann Street, Gosford (Lot 1 DP 251476)
o Part 2-4 Park Road, The Entrance NSW (part Lot 10 DP 1285833 and part Lot 1 DP 406038)
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And Thursday, May 9:
6pm-7:30pm at Wyong Golf Club focusing on:
o 48W Wallarah Road, Gorokan
o 191 Wallarah Road, Kanwal
o 50W Parraweena Rd, Gwandalan
o Part 6W Kemira Road, Lake Munmorah
o Part 20 Summerland Road Summerland Point
o 75 Bungary Road, Norah Head
o 13 and 15 Yaralla Road, Toukley
