Media release

The Community Environment Network has taken aim at the recently released Transforming the Central Coast report by Wyong Council. The Report seeks significant public funding from the NSW and Federal Government for a grab bag of ill considered, poorly justified and unsustainable projects. According to media the total value is $2.6 Billion.

The Projects do not stack up to a Triple Bottom line Business Case (Social, Environment and Economic) when evaluated with accurate costing, environmental impacts and the ability for ratepayers to pay. The projects do not meet the standards required by state and federal governments so most projects will not be funded.

When these projects fail to obtain government funds, there will be ever increasing demands for money to fund these pet projects and ratepayers can expect to be targetted.

John Asquith, Chairman of CEN, said: "The Report is titled as a Sustainable Future but in reality is an narrow economic document without a supporting business case for most of the projects. There is no demonstrated case made on the sustainability of the projects. The environment is barely mentioned at a time when we see Wyong destroying habitat for threatened species, corridors for wildlife and the destructive impacts of development approvals and clearing for rezoning which will not be needed for decades. "

"The document needs to be binned and a proper document produced which includes community input. This Strategy demonstrates a Cargo Cult at Wyong Council, that has no basis i n reality."

Mr Asquith went on to say: "It is a marketing document aimed at providing spin in place of substance as the NSW Elections near. There are lots of photos of people at play in reserves and parklands, these areas will not be there once council finishes rezoning and selling off the hundreds of parks and reserves reclassified for sale, lease or development. Given it is produced under the Banner of Transforming the Central Coast, how do Gosford Council and Ratepayers feel about the lack of consultation?"

Attachment -  Example of rezoning of foreshore reserve at Long Jetty.jpg1.55 MB

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