The Central Coast Community Environment Network presents a workshop on:

The environment policies of the candidates for the Council Elections

To our request for outlaying their environmental policies the candidates for the forthcoming local government elections in Gosford and Wyong Shire delivered the following responses. We want to stress that the ACF does not endorse any one candidate, yet wants the public give the opportunity to see what their policies on the environment are, and to either hold them to those policies or disagree and argue against them.

Brenton Pavier Liberal Party B Ward Team:

The Liberal Party policy on the environment is; To oppose spoil into tuggerah Lake and calling for matching grants from State and Federal Governments equalling $3Million dollars spent on the Lakes by Council, presently per annum. Expand streambank resoration and erosion control.

Call for trial on the expanding the opening of the entrance to the Lake.

More urban stormwater treatment zones.

No coal mining in water catchment and lake areas leading to subsidence.

Review Draft Conservation Strategy and consult with property owners, especially in the valley areas.

Foster greater support for landcare and bushfire community groups

Robert Bell (Mayor):

1. Completion of the unique COSS in Gosford City.
2. Further develop the wetlands protection plan and acquisition of wetlands in Gosford City.
3. Continue the cleanup of the creeks program I initiated 4 yrs ago now. 4. Promote the wildlife corridor agreements.Next week we launch the 100th wildlife corridor property owner to join the program.
5. Stop highrise along the coast .
5.Make sure recognition of villages and small areas like Copa,Macs etc are retained as villages.
6. A plan to reduce energy consumption even further than at present. Council has won a number of awards for reducing energy use.We have just launched the CNG trucks as part of the engineering workforce. We established a refuelling station at Gosford.
7.We are the only council that has 6 hybrid vehicles .I drive one of them and get 1289km /60 litres of fuel. Reducing Green house gases considerably. 8.Green globe awards.Council received Bronze one of only 8 councils in the state.We are driving for Gold.

Vicki Brooke Central Coast Greens:

Central Coast Greens environment policies

Cr Robyn Stewart

I would like to place on record that I will not support the pumping of spoil into Tuggerah Lakes.

I fully support the installation of pollutant traps around the lakes and certainly addressing the problems within the catchment area.

I have not supported the Wyong Shire Draft Conservation Strategy in it's current form because Council has not consulted with the ratepayers who actually own the properties that are effected.

Council has consulted with developers, progress associations, some conservation groups and the precinct committees.

It is my belief the Council should at least give those effected by the Draft Strategy a chance to have a say on their own properties.

Many of these people bought land so that they may enjoy having horses, dogs or cats etc. and have chosen an alternative lifestyle. I am also of the belief that they are certainly very aware of their obligation to their land.
Under the Draft Strategy they will have a 'no go zone' put on them, which means that they can have NO animals on the effected part of their property.

Several people who have spoken to me, have had ALL of their property rezoned and will not be able to do anything at all with it

I don't belief that Council should force people into a situation, when they have not even consulted with them.

Andrew Elli:

Thank you for your request, Please be advised that any SOScc policy can be viewed at www.sos.org.au after you click on the central coast link.

Craig Doyle:

Please see below my thoughts re Environmental issues:

I believe in a triple bottom line policy; one of the key returns is environment. During the past 4 years I have been supportive in a number of initiative that this council has delivered.

My motion and program to change DCP100 to include a minimum of 40% site coverage for open space on all development within the residential areas has been a great success, protecting larger areas of our residential environment, as well as addressing a number of other factors such as vegetation protection, run off, drainage, and recreation potential.

The support of the COSS system is very important to our city, and to the future generations. I have been active in the fight to protect the ridgelines for over a decade. I was naive to believe that the Land zonings were enough to afford reasonable protection, however I have identified that the only genuine way to protect the sensitive areas of Gosford is to place these lands in public ownership.

Council also has many other policies and committees that I support, such as Cities for Climate Protection, that have been formed with the protection of the environment at the forefront. Although I have never proclaimed to be "green", I have always researched my decisions, and have an environmental sensitivity focus in decision making on behalf of residents. I believe in an "open ear and open mind", particularly around environmental issues.

Craig Doyle
Independent Candidate
Gosford

Chris Holstein:

Having been informed of the ACF Central Coast Branch request for my policy re environment.
My "policy" is as it has been for the last 12 years as a Councillor.

My belief is to maintain a quality of life for which not only me but my children and their children would want to have. In regard to development I adhere to the principles of E.S.D.

To listen and take in the advice of the professional environmental staff but also the points of view of applicants and objectors.

I make my assessment based on the facts without fear or favour.

Chris Holstein.

Malcolm Brooks:

Here is the URL for the page on the website which contains all the policies.

www.yourliberalteam.com/policies.aspx?#policies