The STL Save Our Waterways Party, formerly the Wyong-based Save Tuggerah Lakes Party, has released its policies ahead of the September Central Coast Council election.
The policies now take in initiatives for the southern half of the new Local Government Area in addition to the former Wyong LGA.
The first tenet of the STL election platform is “Better governance and financial management, more transparency and no more black holes,” according to its policy document..
STL candidates, according to the policy document, will strive for “open, fair and accountable government, controlled by strong principles and ethics”.
Their second policy is improved protection and amenity for beaches and waterways, which would include a long-term dredging campaign for Brisbane Water, beach nourishment and a sea wall for Wamberal.
“Maintain our navigation channels and build more saltwater tidal pools and more fishing platforms for our waterways,” is another strategy listed in the policy document.
“Rebuild our infrastructure and remove the backlog” is a third plank of the STL policy document.
Its candidates, if elected, have pledged to improve roads, kerbs and guttering, drains and footpaths, and get water, sewer and drainage “out of the red”, an initiative that would see road funding increased 50 per cent.
“More public reserves and parks with better access and amenity for our beaches, waterfronts and suburbs,” is another policy.
STL councillors would also actively support the commuters of the Central Coast by fighting for better commuter parking at railway stations, improved drop-off and pick-up points and free wi-fi at commuter hubs.
It wants to see Opal card ferry services on Brisbane Water and truck lanes on the M1 with better entry and exit slip roads.
According to the STL policy document, the party also has an environmental protection platform that would include “gross pollutant traps (GPTs) to stop all pollutants and rubbish from entering our waterways, end sewage overflows into our waterways, and an end to commercial fishing in Broken Bay.
STL would also like to see the introduction of an improved feral pest program to protect native fauna and flora, and more state funding for the acquisition of wetlands.
Its tree policy includes tree removal for residential properties approved, subject to tree for tree replacement.
It is also opposed to all coal mining and gas fracking in the new LGA.
Its “Better Development and Planning” policy includes low cost housing and improved land supply for young families, no boarding houses that lack local community support, and the removal of “red tape stopping mum and dad development”.
Elected STL candidates would “say no to sea level rise policies that destroy Central Coast property values”.
Initiatives to support local business and local jobs would include “less red tape, better support for local oyster farmers, increasing the range of vocational training to meet the needs of youth and existing workers, and support for the Mariners and their bid for management of Gosford Stadium”.
Source:
Email, May 30
Pat Aiken, STL Save Our Waterways