Put COSS in E zone
COSS Lands or Coastal Open Spaces is a wonderful concept.
It is the one achievement of which Gosford can be justly proud.
It is in fact unique in the State and demonstrates the wisdom and vision of some former councillors, planners and citizens.
They understood that the many ridges around the Central Coast should be protected, as well as other lands, which would help all species to have corridors to use, from the coast to the interior; essential in some cases such as the Swift Parrot, to continuing survival.
It is heart-wrenching to realise that so many of the people flocking to the coastal strip, attracted no doubt by its natural beauty, do not appreciate that we are all a part of the wonderful bio-diversity of this planet, not separate or superior to it.
These people seem to see the environment as a resource to be exploited for monetary gain.
They find the native animals and birds a nuisance or a hindrance to their plans to make a lot of money.
They fail to understand that the health of this, our only planet is dependent on every tiny part continuing its life cycle; that each bit even if unknown and unseen is essential for the eventual survival of life on the planet and that includes us.
This wonderful COSS system has survived despite the continuing pressure on the land until now, with the new DLEP yet to be finalised.
The whole COSS system seems to be in jeopardy because some people have wedged themselves into a corner and see no way out without losing face.
People of integrity, who think about the future facing their children and grandchildren, must realise that their thinking can change, when they gain a greater understanding of the biodiversity of our world.
It is not too late to place the COSS Lands into an E zone, at the minimum an E2.
It has been done by other councils so Gosford would not be alone.
This action would prove to future generations that there were people in Gosford Shire in 2011 who could think beyond the almighty dollar.
Email, 24 May 2011
Margaret Lund, Woy Woy Bay