The Central Coast is being driven into an identity crisis by the NSW Government, faceless government appointed bureaucracies called planning panels, and an out-of-control Administrator.
Firstly, we are not part of Sydney, even though those same forces keep calling us part of the Greater Sydney region, and we are also not part of Newcastle.
We (have) our own identity and want it to stay that way.
The bushland and our beaches were identified by our former council as two of the main reasons why we live here.
Impacts on our way of life are slowly increasing, by the same bureaucratic people who in most cases don’t live here, making decisions on our future and we have very little opportunity to have our voices heard.
The NSW Government’s drive for greater affordable housing is nothing but a political pipedream, as their developer buddies run rampant with housing that falls well short of being affordable or inclusive.
None are concerned about the many changes and infrastructure shortfalls, as massive housing estates destroy greenfield areas and critical habitats.
The population increases alone have generated a tsunami of issues that will only get greater as the onslaught progresses.
The current shortfall of doctors and nurses and other medical clinicians on the Central Coast, along with a shortage of hospital beds and other associated infrastructure, should not be (addressed) in the future.
They are needed now, yet they are not on the NSW Government’s radar.
An average housing estate has between 300 and 600 homes, therefore a possible population increase of a minimum of well over 1,000 new residents per housing estate – and they have only just begun.
What about our water supply or do we once again need restrictions?
Schools are already at a maximum intake level and with the projected 41,000 new homes for the north alone, this could mean a further 61,500 new student placings being needed to keep up with the demand.
Traffic now sees regular jams in critical places such as our highways and freeways on a daily basis.
Air pollution has reached catastrophic levels of “poor or worse” on a regular basis and the government’s answer in 2023 is to place portable monitors that read dust levels only.
The Central Coast cannot afford to lose its identity (through) politicians and developers who only concern themselves with votes and jobs.
There is more to life than the continual destruction of our way of life and identity.
Email, Dec 18
Gary Blaschke, Lake Munmorah