Trust asks about use of endangered bushland money

Umina Coastal WoodlandLast stands of the endangered Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland

Central Coast Council will be asked if the $225,000 developer contribution from the owner of the Hillview St nursing home in Woy Woy must be used on the site which is home to one of the last stands of the endangered Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland.

The Protection of the Environment Trust management committee asked council to clarify whether the money could be used for other localities in that area with the endangered ecological community.

The committee met on August 6 and asked a Council unit manager to clarify the issue. The report of the meeting showed the money was first incorrectly put in to the council general fund and was only transferred to the Committee account on February 28.

“Advice is being sought from Finance as to what processes are being put in place to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future, ” the report said. It also asked for clarification of the tax deductibility of donations to the trust.

The committee also asked for slides from a presentation to be distributed and links to the Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland Endangered Ecological Community Restoration and Rehabilitation Management Plan to be provided to committee members. Work began on the Hillview St nursing home last month for Thompson Health Care.

SOURCE: Council Website, 6 Nov 2019 Protection of the Environment Trust meeting, 6 Aug 2019