The online community poll on the future of Austin Butler Reserve at Woy Woy is now available until November 13.
The contentious issue has been attracting a great deal of comment since Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart announced it would go back out for public comment.
Originally slated for rezoning to allow for the sale of part of the reserve to the adjacent Peninsula Plaza, the reserve was removed from the rezoning list following huge community backlash.
MPs and community groups have been vocal in demanding the entire reserve, one of the last green pockets on the Peninsula, remain in community hands rather than be sold to allow for an expansion of the shopping centre carpark and loading dock.
The online poll presents residents with two choices: whether they support Austin Butler Reserve remaining under the control of Council; or whether a sale to the shopping centre should proceed with the funds going towards the long-term greening of the local area.
Council’s Director of Environment and Planning Alice Howe said the poll was open to all Central Coast residents to have their say.
“Council has been approached by Peninsula Plaza to sell the land to provide improved pedestrian safety and facilitate goods vehicles docking,” she said.
“This would require removal of around 20-40 trees.
“It is proposed that the proceeds of the sale be reinvested in a greening program for the Peninsula area over the next 10 years.”
Administrator Rik Hart said it was important that the community understood the two options in the online poll and have their say, despite some describing the greening plan as “blackmail”, saying providing trees in the area should not be dependent on selling public land.
“The two outcomes of this process are very clear; that the site would either remain under the control of Council, or the sale to the shopping centre would continue and proceeds from the sale would be used to subsequently fund a greening program across the Peninsula,” he said.
“The sale of the land could fund more than 8,500 trees across the Peninsula region, including sourcing, planting and maintenance to maturity.
“As I have always said, I will be guided by the community’s response through Council’s community engagement process and strongly encourage everyone to have their say.”
In addition to the online community poll, a targeted survey is being concurrently run by an independent company focussed on residents in the local area.
Members of the community are invited to participate in the poll before Monday, November 13, at yourvoiceourcoast.com
Source:
Central Coast Council