Council matters!

Use of jet skis
The Council Agenda Papers (25 July) stated that "From January 1 to April 30 this year, nine accidents took place on Sydney waterways alone; of these three were serious accidents involving major injuries. Jet ski operators were found to have caused eight of the nine accidents."
Due to public concern the following motion was moved (Bockholt/Bell) that "Council urgently investigate and implement the new guidelines for Council recently announced by the State Government with regard to the operations of jet skis with a view to regulating and limiting their use in the waterways and beaches of the Gosford LGA".
Libraries internet access
Cr Bockhold expressed concern that the recommendation for computers to access the Internet from the various Council libraries was grossly inadequate.
She cited a recommendation from the Woy Woy CBD Committee that at least 10 computers be made available in each library.
Council deferred the matter until a further meeting of Council’s IM&T Committee and invited John Oakley and Mark Snell to participate in the committee’s discussions on the matter.
Breach of environmental law
Council was successful in its prosecution of Build Max Corporation Pty Ltd and its Director Mr Ciliegi, for failing to provide adequate sediment controls. The result was that the Court found both guilty.
Build Max was fined $15,000 plus costs, and Mr Ciliegi $5000 plus costs.
Mayoral minute
Mayor Cr Chris Holstein moved a motion to double the present rewards under Council’s "Dob in a vandal" scheme. This brings rewards leading to convictions up to $5000.
The gallery and councillors heard numerous allegations of vandalism against Council property.
These included the pouring of paint over a new children’s playground and accompanying picnic facilities in Pelican Park, Woy Woy, the burning of playground facilities, fires in public toilets, destruction of garbage receptacles. The list went on.
Cr Holstein stated that the cost to ratepayers was $250,000 per annum and that the problem was getting worse.
Several members of the public who addressed Council claimed that the vandalism was out of control.
It was alleged by several speakers that although they had reported incidents, the police response was extremely slow. They further alleged that their reports were not logged by police.
Cr Bockholt declared: "The police aren’t doing anything about it. We need to get on the front foot".
Cr Doyle in response to the mayor’s advice that a meeting was to be held with police and others with a report on August 22, responded: "Talk’s cheap. I’m more interested in when we’ll have some action on the ground. All (anti-vandalism) programmes should be implemented by August 30".
Cr Bell spoke of the significant increase in vandalism at Saratoga, which most people thought of as a quiet, peaceful place.
Garbage contract
The key features of the new contract which was adopted unanimously by Council, are a 120-litre domestic garbage MGB serviced weekly, a 240-litre recycling MGB serviced fortnightly, and a 240-litre organic garden waste MGB serviced fortnightly.
Bulk household waste collection service will be provided on an "on-call" basis in urban and rural residential areas with an unlimited volume three times per annum.
Bulk garden organic collection service will also be provided on an "on-call" basis in urban residential areas with an unlimited volume three times per annum.
It should be noted that the previous 240-ltr domestic garbage bin has been reduced to 120-ltr.
Notification of applications
Council has decided to reduce the amount of advertising associated with development applications and their approval.
Progress Associations and other appropriate community groups are to receive on a weekly basis details of proposed developments in their area.
Of concern to the Gosford District Combined Progress Association and Cr Brooks was the clause "if, in the Council’s opinion" which would have given Council Officers the power to decide whether neighbours would be notified or not of development applications that might affect them.
John Oakley, speaking on behalf of the Gosford District Combined Progress Association, raised the community’s concern about this phrase and also the fact that, under the proposal, application details could only be viewed on the ground floor of the Gosford Council Building.
He argued that it was unreasonable for details not to be available at local libraries, and in the case of isolated communities, at the nearest Council depot.
Council deleted the phrase "if, in the Council’s opinion" and agreed that application details should be made available in libraries and Council Depots.
Approval of 12-unit flats
Despite numerous public objections based on Empire Bay being a village-type community, Council granted approval for this development on the grounds that the development met Council’s guidelines and refusal could not be sustained in the Land and Environment Court.
Cr Bockholt accused Council of voting on a zoning rather than a principle.
She stated: "You should show that you care. Empire Bay needs you to look after them."
Cr Preece asserted that "We should be standing on principle. What is allowed in this zone doesn’t make sense. I am going to vote against it".
Cr Wales declared her concern that if the application was refused the developer might revert to the original application for a three storey development..
Cr Brooks pointed out that "If we could have found a way around the problem, we would have".
Cr Doyle, in commenting on the zoning, said: "The developer has taken an opportunity to find another loophole in what can be done."
The view was also expressed that there needed to be a critical assessment of present zoning throughout the Gosford Council area and that persons buying land should make themselves aware of what may be possible on adjoining properties under their zoning.
In the vote, councillors Bockholt and Preece voted against the development.