Council writes opposing Tesrol development

Gosford Council will advise the Department of Planning that the application for an eight-storey beachfront development proposed for Ettalong should be deferred until its Draft LEP is gazetted.

A council report stated that council had a number of concerns with the application including the proposed height, excessive floor space ratio, its inconsistency with the desired future character of the area and failure to follow recommendations contained in the Peninsula Urban Directions Strategy.

Council also resolved at its meeting on June 1, to advise the Department of Planning of its standard practice for being involved in any consent granted by the Director-General.

Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein said it was now the time for council to act responsibly with the situation they had found themselves in.

"I don't agree with the fact that one person now decides the future of this development and the matter is now out of our hands," Cr Holstein said.

"But it is council's duty of care to act responsibly and voice our concerns to the department.

"Now is a good time to ensure council and the community's opinions are taken into consideration by the Department of Planning when they go to make its final decision.

Cr Doyle agreed and said it was now up to the Minister to decide the fate of the Ettalong landscape.

"The courts make it frustrating for council when we try our best to make a balance with developments," Cr Doyle said.

"This is not the first time the power has been taken away from us due to Department of Planning intervention.

"The decision will now be up to someone who doesn't live in the area and understand local issues and community needs which is very unfortunate."

Cr Latella said the Mantra Resort development would not help the issue.

"How can this development go ahead when council and the community object to it?

"It's just ridiculous and it all comes down to the Mantra - that ugly, unsightly building that does nothing for tourism."

"The Mantra has now set a precedent for the area that local residents do not want.

"If this development goes ahead it will wreck the beachside quality of Ettalong and ultimately create a Queensland that falls outside of planning instruments and does not reflect the appreciation of the Peninsula community.

"The local community does not want this development... it stinks."

However, Cr Jeff Strickson was the only councillor present at the meeting to support the development.

"Ettalong is a unique area to the Peninsula," Cr Strickson said,

"In talking with major retailers the reason stopping them from coming into the area is that the area does not attract the right demographic they are looking for.

"I believe this development will contribute to the ongoing good of the Ettalong community.

"This development will breathe life into the area like we are trying to do in Gosford and we should put no pressure on the Minister to stop it."

Clare Graham, 1 Jun 2010 Council agenda ENV.29, 1 Jun 2010