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Fire station approval explained

Gosford Council staff have explained how a fire station at Killcare was approved, which did not include public toilets and a change room, despite a Council resolution that a feasibility study be conducted.

Development and Environment Director, Mr John Murray, has responded to a "question without notice" from Cr Lynne Bockholt.

At the November 13 Council meeting, Cr Bockholt stated: "On October 2, Council resolved that a feasibility study be carried out on the agreed site in Maitland Bay Drive, Killcare, on:

"a) The cost of building the fire station including public toilets and change room;

"b) Developing the site as a recreation facility including playing fields;

"c) A whole site strategy be developed before any development occurs."

She asked: "In light of the above, why then did Council approve on October 29 a fire station on this site?

"Does the fire station as approved contain public toilets and change room?"

Mr Murray responded that the proposed fire station did not contain public toilets and change rooms.

He said Council at its meeting on March 6 approved the lodgement of a development application for a fire station on Lot 415 DP755234 Maitland Bay Drive, Killcare.

"The subject application was lodged with Council on August 10 and Development Consent was issued on October 29," he said.

Mr Murray said work had commenced on the feasibility study and a report would be presented to Council upon its completion.

The Development Consent would not be acted upon until the Council considered the feasibility study, he said.

Council agenda FS.004, January 8