Central Coast Council: Asset sale program on public exhibition until May 28
Mistakes in a report of assets proposed for sale has forced Central Coast Council to delay the controversial plan.
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The Central Coast community have been given more time to speak up over the controversial asset sales program.
Central Coast Council’s administrator Dick Persson has extended the community consultation period on the proposed asset sales and reclassification list until May 28, following community uproar.
“Feedback from the community identified some spelling errors in the assets listed, I can confirm these have now been corrected,” he said.
“I understand this has caused some confusion and inconvenience to the community, and as such I’ve decided to extend the consultation period for a further seven days.”
Mr Persson said it was important that the community is aware that certain parcels of land have conditions of sale placed on them. This includes the Terrigal Dr sports complex, which will be retained as a basketball stadium and carpark.
“I want to reiterate this is not a ‘fire sale’,” Mr Persson said. “Any properties sold will be at market price or better, and the market is very strong now.”
Local Labor MP have also spoken out about the proposed sales, with Wyong state Labor MP Davis Harris saying some of the sites housed important community services.
“There should be a full explanation about what will happen to those organisations who would be forced out. These groups include OASIS, Norah Head Play Group, Community Legal Service etc,” he aid.
The Entrance state Labor MP David Mehan said “The Entrance electorate has the largest number of public assets for sale, our community has the most to lose”.
Earlier – May 4, 2021
Community uproar continues over Central Coast Council’s proposed asset sales program.
Dozens of parcels of land across the region have been placed on public exhibition for potential sale to help the council through its financial crisis.
Interim Administrator Dick Persson AM deferred a decision on the asset sales at the last council meeting after community backlash over the issue. He called on the community to have their say.
“There is still a need for council to raise funds through the sale of surplus or ‘lazy’ assets to pay down debt and keep moving forward with financial recovery,” he said.
There are three categories including operational land and operational land to be rezoned, as well as land to be reclassified from community to operational prior to sale.
This will include some parcels of land, such as Taylor Park Bowling Club at The Entrance and the sports complex at Duffys Oval, which council will look to rezone prior to sale.
For the bowling club at The Entrance, council has indicated that retention of the club will be a condition of sale to Mingara Recreation Club.
For the Terrigal Dr sports complex, council states it intends to sell it to Breakers Country Club with the condition to retain the basketball complex and parking.
The Wyong District Youth and Community Centre, in Kanwal, could also be sold with the condition that the centre be retained. The council has stated that Wyong Rugby League Club are keen on the site to upgrade the facilities.
The potential sale of the carpark in Bullion St at Umina has raised concern with Chemist Outlet Umina Beach owner Michael Cunico saying it would be “devastating”.
“We’ve run the pharmacy and post office boxes here for 22 years and the sell-off of the carpark would be absolutely devastating to our business and every other one in Umina,” he said.
“Customers have to access their post boxes through the laneway, as was stipulated in the DA when the building was originally formed and the removal of the carpark would severely impact this.”
Gosford state Labor MP Liesl Tesch said parking was already a huge problem on the peninsula.
“This carpark is central to the community who use the resource to visit the chemist, the doctors, the local grocers, florists and cafes,” she said.
“Removing accessibility to these businesses, which is exactly what this carpark provides, will have a huge consequence for our community from business owners to shoppers.”
Community Environment Network (CEN) chair Gary Chestnut said CEN supported the community’s fight to protect community land.
“The sale of community land is not the only option, and it is certainly not the best option, for reducing council’s debt,” he said.
“The community is right to feel disappointed that council has been speaking with potential
purchasers before it even asked the community for feedback. This is one of many examples of
council putting the cart before the horse during this administration period.”
The proposal will be on exhibition until May 21.
EARLIER – April 27, 2021
The community has spoken out against the potential sale of community land and Central Coast Council’s interim administrator has listened.
Dick Persson announced just hours before Tuesday’s council meeting he will instead put the plan, which proposes property reclassification and sale, out for public opinion before making a decision.
“There is still a need for council to raise funds through the sale of surplus or ‘lazy’ assets if we are to pay down the huge debts run up by the suspended councillors,” Mr Persson said.
“Now that the Minister has confirmed the councillors will not be returning on Friday there is a chance to consult in a less politicised environment. I regret my handling of the matter has caused widespread concern. This is not a ‘fire sale’ as some are claiming. Any properties sold will be at market price or better, and the market is very strong at the moment.”
Mr Persson said he did not agree with the proposed sale of Terrigal Bowling Club and would remove the site from the list.
The decision comes after the community spoke out against the move which placed sites that have been integral parts of the community for many years – including Terrigal Bowling Club, Taylor Park Bowling Club at The Entrance, the Duffys Oval complex at Terrigal and Wyong Youth and Community Hall – are under a cloud of doubt.
The proposed reclassification came as a complete shock to the 70-year-old Terrigal Bowling Club, on Wilson Rd, with chief executive officer James Heddo speaking out on Monday.
“The Club currently holds a lease until 30 April 2024 but the future after this point appears non-existent in the eyes of the council,” he said.
“I am incredibly disappointed that we didn’t receive any communication that this proposal to reclassify the land was part of the council agenda. It would be devastating to the entire local community if 70 years of proud history could be thrown away due to the financial mismanagement of local government.
“As you can imagine we have many upset members at the club and I myself am outraged that Council thought this was acceptable behaviour.”
The council report states that a condition of sale would be retention of the bowling club.
The Duffys Oval complex is another contentious listing on the agenda, with the popular site housing a basketball stadium, tennis courts, BMX track, 50+ centre and child care centre.
The council’s report states that a condition of sale would be retaining the basketball courts and public carparking.
Wyong Youth and Community Hall in Kanwal is also on the chopping block with community concerns voiced along with the over-55s manufactured home estate Ingenia Lifestyle Ettalong Beach.
The Australian Conservation Fund’s Central Coast branch also called for a halt to the rezoning and sale of community land.
“Residents of Gosford city previously fought to secure the open spaces, playgrounds and other community lands operated by council, and now so many are dismayed and disgusted at having to defend these areas again,” branch president Mark Ellis said.
“Although this time around it is not just open spaces and parks, it is a whole range of community assets. Council are planning to sell bowling clubs, carparks, childcare centre, senior citizen centre, reserves, halls, community justice legal centres, BMX tracks. They are tearing the heart of the community out.”
“The community can tolerate a degree of service cuts, but they cannot tolerate the sale of their assets which include community reserves and operational lands which the councils where entrusted to manage for current and future generations.”
Some of the other sales mentioned in the council agenda have been a result of organisations approaching the council.
These include:
■ 77 Howarth Street, Wyong
Wyong Race Club are keen to buy 1.3ha of land to the north of the club’s existing stables, and to the south of the Golf Course.
The Club is looking to further develop the number of stables within the Club.
Council staff have recommended the land also be reclassified from “community” to “operational” to be sold to the club.
■ 1 Austin Butler Acc, Woy Woy
Peninsula Plaza are keen to buy 4,130sq m located on the eastern side of Peninsula Plaza and
adjacent to Woy Woy Oval.
The Plaza is planning to expand their carpark and centre with Woolworths planning to carry out a renewal of the supermarket to the value of $5m. His will also mean an increase from 95 jobs to 120.
Council is set to reclassify the land from community to operational land and sell “for not less than a market valuation” to the Plaza.
■ 325 Pacific Hwy, Wyong
Wyong Golf Club has approached council to buy 1.85ha of land located on the eastern side of the clubhouse on Wyong Rd.
According to the council report, the golf club is looking to build a senior’s living accommodation development.
“This proposal would address a housing shortage and provide greater housing options for the Coast,” the report read.
Council has recommended the land be reclassified “operational” and sold to the club
for no less than market value.
■ 15-23 Hely St, Wyong
The Salvation Army, who leases the site at 15-23 Hely St, have stated they are willing to buy the land from the council.
Council had already decided to sell this parcel of land in November 2020 and are set to proceed with a direct sale to the Salvation Army.
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