The buck continues to be passed between Central Coast Council, the NSW Government and the Member for Robertson over the best location for a regional performing arts centre in Gosford.
Ms Lucy Wicks, the Member for the Federal Seat of Robertson, and Mr Adam Crouch, the Member for the State Seat of Terrigal, have both said Central Coast Council has been responsible for stopping progress on the performing arts centre. Ms Wicks, whilst reiterating her commitment to deliver 600 jobs to the Gosford CBD as a result of having a new building for the Australian Taxation Office, also repeated her call for action from Council. “The Central Coast Council must once and for all announce where it’s putting the Gosford Regional Performing Arts Centre,” Ms Wicks said. “We have invested $10 million into this muchneeded cultural heart for Gosford,” she said.
“December, 2016, marks six years since the State Labor Government decided to sell the old Gosford Public School site. “Labor has spent most of that six years campaigning for a Performing Arts Centre not on that site, but on Poppy Park, or Gosford City Park. “In six years in Government, they never delivered the funding either. “So let’s stop all the empty talk over false rhetoric, and let’s get on with the job of delivering more jobs,” she said. Central Coast Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said “We have met with Lucy Wicks several times on this and recently sent her a letter confirming we are actively investigating potential sites.
“We regularly meet with Lucy and will continue to do so to progress this important project,” Mr Reynolds said. “A report is due to come to Council early in 2017 outlining potential site options as the next step in the project,” he said. Given there are only eight Council meetings scheduled before the local government election in September, Coast Community News has asked Council to clarify what “early in 2017” means. Meanwhile, Mr Reynolds said he could confi rm there were design plans under way for the regional library, which is to be located in Mann St on the old Caddy Club site next to the Council’s Gosford Chambers. “Once that is done, it will come with costings as well,” Mr Reynolds said. “It is my understanding that there is funding put aside for the library,” he said. “However, we won’t know exactly how much is required until the design process is complete.” Media statement, Dec 14, 2016 Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council
Media release, Dec 16, 2016 Tim Sowden, office of Lucy Wicks