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Place manager mooted for Peninsula

 

The State Government will fund a "place manager" for the Peninsula as part of a $250,000 allocation to address a range social issues, according to Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales.

Mr Wales "cautiously welcomed" the announcement that the money had been allocated to improve management of youth issues, older people in the community, economic development and jobs growth, in conjunction with Gosford Council.

"We are of the understanding that this allocation was, in part, as a result of the highly successful Peninsula economic strategy, Peninsula Vision, undertaken by the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the State Government, the Commonwealth and Gosford Council.

"Peninsula Vision aims to introduce a place management system on the Peninsula, which will empower the local community to assume more responsibility over the management of the town centres and economic growth in the area."

Mr Wales said that in recent discussions with the Premier's Department it was indicated that the money would fund a place manager.

"The responsibilities would cover a wider range of community activities than we envisaged and not necessarily restricted to economic development," said Mr Wales.

"This announcement would appear to be a move in the right direction."

He said a place manager would be "spread thin on the ground" if their responsibilities were to cover youth issues and older people in the community, as well as improving the management of economic development and jobs growth.

Mr Wales said that one of the key factors affecting Peninsula youth was the scarcity of local jobs and career opportunities.

"It is absolutely imperative that resources be directed to improving employment and investment opportunities on the Woy Woy Peninsula.

"A fully focused place management system must be implemented if they are to have any hope of creating jobs and improving the fortunes of our local young people.

"The NSW State Government funding allocation might be well intentioned but could be wasted if the tasks expected of the place manager are too broad and under-resourced."

Press release, October 29