Submission threshold 'affects small communities'

The Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association has called on its members to make submissions opposing a proposal that would require 100 submissions about a development application before it would be referred to a public council meeting.

"Past Gosford Council practice has been that all applications receiving more than five submissions were to be determined at a council meeting rather than by staff," said association president Ms Peta Colebatch.

"Central Coast Council now proposes to adopt the former Wyong Council's policy requiring 100 submissions for a DA to be determined at a council meeting," she said.

"Councillors (not less than two), or in the case of the present council, the Administrator, will have the ability to call up a DA," she said.

"We contend that the requirement of 100 signatures is totally out of proportion and disenfranchises small communities such as ours.

"The draft policy is currently on exhibition and acceptance of submissions will run until September 7.

"We know that many of you will be interested in making a submission and encourage you to do so," she said.

The proposed new arrangements are likely to come before the Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, at the council meeting scheduled for September 28.

Email, 31 Aug 2016

Peta Colebatch, Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association