Chamber welcomes discussion plans

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has welcomed Gosford Council's plans to enter into discussions with peak industry and business groups over the Draft Gosford Local Environmental Plan.

Discussions are a main priority for council at present and are expected to take place "as soon as possible", according to a council spokesperson.

"During the exhibition phase of the Draft Gosford LEP, the Peninsula Chamber had encouraged Gosford Council to consult specifically with industry and peak business groups over specific issues in the draft documents," Peninsula Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales said.

"We are delighted that council has resolved to enter into those discussions so as to ensure that key issues that affect the business and the development industry are more closely examined.

"The new draft planning controls are critical to the future development of the city and for the Peninsula Chamber.

"We are keen to discuss the proposed controls that will affect the redevelopment of our local town centres including the old Woy Woy CBD and the Ettalong Beach commercial beachfront areas."

Mr Wales said he had been advised by council that all organisations that lodged submissions in relation to further consultations would be contacted by council shortly and expressions of interest would be sought in the local media so that the consultation meetings could proceed.

"It is to council's credit that the consultation process has been thorough and robust as this ensures that key groups have the maximum opportunity to put their concerns forward," Mr Wales said.

"Obviously, our focus will be to improve development outcomes in town centres and ensure that planning and design controls for medium density areas create the appropriate opportunities for good quality development.

"If we are to meet the population and housing targets set out in the Central Coast Regional Strategy, then we need to ensure that the new development controls are capable to delivering these outcomes.

"At present, we do have some reservations that the controls are too restrictive and that targets won't be reached.

"However, we hope to flush these issues out in the industry group meetings so that we achieve the best outcomes possible."

Press release, 16 Jul 2010 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce