While local Central Coast politicians have remained silent about the imminent fate of the remaining Gosford Public School land, NSW Greens Member of the Legislative Council, Mr David Shoebridge, has posed questions in Parliament about the use of some of the land.
He questioned the use of land by Doma on the former Gosford Public School site and the Crown Land ‘paper road’ known as the Baker Street extension.
Mr Shoebridge asked: “Is the Doma Group paying the government to lease the land at the old Gosford School site while they are using it for equipment storage?
“If so, which department is the money going to and what is the amount paid per week?” he said.
The question was asked of the Minister for Primary IndustriesMr Niall Blair.
Mr Blair’s response was that the former school was not located on crown land administered under the Crown Land Act 1989, but currently held in freehold title by Property NSW.
He said the question was a matter for the Finance Minister, Mr Victor Dominello.
Mr Blair’s response did not address the use of the Baker St extension, previously used as part of the Leagues Club Field and fenced off when the ATO construction commenced.
Mr Shoebridge’s office said they intended to ask the question again of Mr Dominello.
The fate of the remainder of the school land still hangs in the balance.
Property for NSW told Coast Community News on March 8 that the Request for Tender to purchase the remainder of the land, incorporating the DA-approved NSW Department of Finance building, was “at an advanced stage and expected to be announced shortly”.
All local politicians, from both the major parties, have gone silent about the land’s fate.
The land was clearly earmarked in the Our City Our Destiny Masterplan as in the area identified for arts and entertainment.
Coast Community News has reviewed the 2012 Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) submitted as part of the development application to move the school from Gosford to Faunce St.
“The proposed development is for the relocation of Gosford Public School to facilitate the implementation of the master plan vision for the waterfront and associated arts and entertainment precinct.”
Source:
Transcript, May 1
David Shoebridge, NSW Member of the Legislative Council
Statement of Environmental Effects,
March 2012,
BBC Consulting Planners
Jackie Pearson, journalist