Money set aside more than 25 years ago by the former Gosford Council to buy ecologically significant wetlands at Davistown is to be redirected into a special conservation fund, following years of unsuccessful negotiation between Council and private landowners.
Central Coast Council resolved at its November 22 meeting that the $1.436M acquisition fund be directed into a new Central Coast Conservation Fund, with a draft policy to be developed by Council staff in consultation with the Coastal Open Space System Committee and the Catchment to Coast Committee.
The draft policy will be put on public exhibition for 28 days once finalised.
The internally restricted Davistown Wetlands Acquisition Fund was established by the former Gosford Council in 1996 for the acquisition of private land containing wetlands in Davistown and Saratoga.
The revenue for the fund was generated through the sale of Council-owned residential land at Davistown and Saratoga.
Council has made offers over many years to acquire several of the 17 land parcels that make up the Davistown Wetlands, with the most recent unsuccessful attempt being reported to Council April 13, 2021.
At that time Council resolved to no longer pursue acquisition of the properties.
A report to Council said there was now an opportunity to reallocate the funds “to achieve environmental benefits for the community across a broader geographic range within the Central Coast local government area”.
First mooted in September 2020 when Council adopted the Central Coast Biodiversity Strategy, plans for the establishment of a Central Coast Conservation Fund stalled as Council recovered from its financial crisis.
Davistown Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla, said the group was satisfied with the decision, flowing last-minute amendments to the resolution resulting from discussions between the association and Council Administrator Rik Hart.
“The Administrator added a point to the resolution which says Council will consult with Davistown Progress Association on the reallocation and he also added to the resolution that funds reallocated from the Wetlands Acquisition Fund would effectively be used for environmental projects within the Davistown area,” McCulla said.
“We are all happy with the additions and the Davistown Progress Association Wetlands Campaign team is set to meet with the Administrator on Monday, December 12 to discuss options with him.”
Terry Collins