<< Peninsula News 17 December 2002 - Angry residents attend Andrews' meeting>>

Angry residents attend Andrews' meeting

A crowd of more than 200 angry Peninsula residents attended a public meeting hosted by Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, on Saturday, November 30, to oppose Gosford Council's proposal to acquire over 140 homes.

Ms Andrews had been approached by a number of home owners requesting assistance in fighting the land acquisition and a committee was formed to represent those affected.

"Local ratepayers expressed their disgust at Gosford Council's outrageous proposal to acquire their homes and called on council to withdraw the plans," said Ms Andrews.

Ms Andrews told those present that Gosford Council representatives were invited to the meeting but had declined the offer to attend.

The meeting endorsed the formation of a Residents' Action Group to fight the so-called "land grab".

The emotional impact of the proposal has caused great distress and anxiety for many long-term residents, said Ms Andrews.

The Resident's Action Group, in conjunction with the Member for Peats, will send a submission to the NSW Ombudsman requesting an investigation into the method in which council has carried out the proposal.

Mayor Cr Robert Bell had previously advised residents that councillors discussed the proposal at length in a strategy meeting held prior to the council meeting of June 25 when the proposal was adopted.

"Residents have not been able to obtain any information about this strategy meeting as minutes were not taken, nor was an attendance record kept," said Ms Andrews.

"Gosford Council topped the state as the most complained about council in the recent Ombudsman's Report and was ranked sixth in the Slate in the Local Government Department's report," she said.

Press release, December 2