Both Corrective Services NSW and Central Coast Council have denied that Council-owned land that was to be the location for the proposed Chinese Theme Park at Warnervale, had been earmarked to become a prison.
From P5 Mr Taylor said STL was calling for a public meeting to be held on the site at Warnervale on Saturday, May 13. “This is a shocking Mothers’ Day present from Council and again I reiterate that Noble and Reynolds should resign.” Former independent Wyong Councillor, Mr Greg Best said: “I have it from reliable sources that the Central Coast is one of a number of sites being actively considered for a major corrective services facility. “Council has had dialogue with Corrective Services and we are now on the shortlist of preferred sites.
“We now find ourselves in an outrageous situation where this has happened with no consultation and behind closed doors and, alarmingly, with no legitimate council in charge. “The Administrator has lost the confidence of the people and should step down. “I will be listing this as a matter of urgency with the Local Representation Committee, and if it is not dealt with, I will be considering my options and resigning from this Yes Minister committee. “I will also be calling on all the other LRC members to stand down, because of the magnitude of this issue. “It would be a game changer for the region and it simply cannot happen, especially not near the Warnervale urban release area,” he said.
Mr Best said he would shortly be launching his campaign to be elected to the Central Coast Council as an independent. The fate of the Chappie Pie China Time Theme Park at Warnervale was recently the subject of a story on Channel Nine’s A Current Affair program. The program highlighted the fact that the developer of the Chinese Theme Park at Warnervale, Australian Chinese Theme Parks Pty Ltd (ACTP), had recently vacated their official premises and missed contractual deadlines to pay monies to the Central Coast Council for the purchase of the proposed theme park land. As a result of the A Current Affair coverage, the Wyong Regional Chronicle asked Central Coast Council for an update on the status of the theme park project. In a written statement Council confirmed that staff had met with the developer. “Council officers met with representatives of ACTP, but it is not appropriate to comment on the outcome of that meeting.
“Council is committed to seeking a conclusion of the contract as quickly as is possible. “Council is not prepared to prejudice its legal position in its dealings with ACTP by making further comment. “That would not be in the best interests of Council nor the public it serves.” The Wyong Regional Chronicle has asked Council to provide a response to STL’s statement about the proposal for a prison on the Warnervale land, which is still owned by Council. Comment has also been sought from Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW). According to the CSNSW, the NSW Government has announced the biggest ever expansion of infrastructure for the state’s prison system, to occur over the next four years.
“This is in response to the increase in the state’s prison population, which is expected to continue. “The new facilities will enable NSW to accommodate this rise appropriately, thereby ensuring community safety and the best opportunity to reduce reoffending by providing programs and other rehabilitative activities.”
Source: Media statement, May 8 Rebecca Simpson, NSW Corrective Services Interview, May 8 Media release, May 8 Lloyd Taylor, STL Media statements, May 4 and 8 Central Coast Council media Website, May 8 Corrective Services NSW Interview, May 8 Greg Best, former Wyong Councillor Jackie Pearson, journalist