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Collapse Issue 288 - 02 Apr 2012Issue 288 - 02 Apr 2012
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
High density plan to replace 170 car spaces
Rehab building to start soon
NBN rollout starts this month
Wifi to be provided at libraries
Ettalong promoted in tourism campaign
Clean up in Woy Woy Bay
Prime Minister and State Opposition leader visit
Government promises on the way
PCYC locks up public figures
Bushcare groups welcome volunteers
Easter fete at Patonga
'Local Member' signs to be relocated
Celebrating Easter
Retirement planning seminars
Train delays
Trash and treasure
Wedding anniversary
Help wanted
Average rain for March
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Closure is over-reaction
Crossing is not warranted
Congested area
Reform issue is complex
Republicans cannot agree
Clean up the waterfront
Rode along the airstrip
Resurrect Old Sydney Town
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Mary Mac's calls for volunteers
Men's shed opens at Umina
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Card workshop
Starring at Marrickville
Organisers claim 8000 at festival
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Heads shaved for $1624
Seven shave
Researcher speaks at learning conference
School to adopt new report format
Ethics volunteers wanted
Forensic science team visits
Students addressed by animal carer
Football trials
Executive elected at Ettalong
Cross country held
School leaders invested
Lifelong learner
Holiday clinic
Cricket knockout
Ride to school
Doing well in sport
Leaders' day
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Solar heating saves money
Strong showing from Killcare Masters
Club champion wins at Open
Hockey team competes
Mollie is rookie of the month
After basketball, it's sailing
Bridge results
Experienced team wins
Clubs played Toukley RSL
Malibu results
Everglades appoints national bowler
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What happens to our recycling?
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The Radford Amphicar
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Chance to win

High density plan to replace 170 car spaces

A community workshop held by Gosford Council to discuss a "village master plan" for Umina has heard of plans for Gosford Council sell off around 170 parking spaces in the free council car park, according to Cr Peter Freewater.

The area would instead contain high density apartment blocks, commercial premises, and a number of small 20 by 20 metre courtyards.

After attending the Plan and Village Master Plan community workshop held by Gosford Council at Umina on Tuesday, March 20, Cr Peter Freewater claimed that the meeting was used only to canvas the idea of redeveloping the free council car park into a civic place, and that it was "a blatant con job".

"The consultants tried to tell us that we need the extra commercial premises to accommodate the growth of Umina," said Cr Freewater.

"The shop owners in the audience strongly disagreed, stating that there were already vacant shops along West St and such a development would only serve to isolate them just as Erina did to Gosford," he said.

Cr Freewater also pointed out that the new LEP allowed for four storey developments in the precinct so there would be plenty of room to accommodate more shops without taking away the main car park that services the shops.

Cr Freewater claimed that by the meeting's conclusion it was very evident that the only reason it had been held was so that Council could say they had consulted the community.

It was also evident that the community were not in favour of sacrificing parking for a new "civic place", he said.

Cr Freewater noted that in his personal discussions with the participants prior to the civic place being put on the agenda, they had all stressed how important they felt parking to be.

"What I heard more than anything else was how important parking is to the success of the Umina shopping strip," said Cr Freewater.

"Some people even went as far to draw a big heart on the free Council car park and referred to this car park as the heart of the area."

When the consultants asked participants what sort of developments they would like to see in the new Civic Place, Cr Freewater said he pointed out that it would need to have at least as many free public parking spots as are currently available on the site.



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