Now that Central Coast Council has agreed to allow the construction of three fast-food outlets, with every likelihood that the rest of the frontage to Pacific Hwy at Kariong will be developed, it is appropriate that we understand the consequences of this decision.
It is painfully obvious that the exit to Mount Penang Parklands will not cater for the increase in traffic during both morning and afternoon rush hours.
Inevitably the developers are going to expect either the State Government or Council to pay for an upgrade of this area.
It will inevitably be the taxpayers and ratepayers who will foot the bill.
It should be made clear now that any upgrade has to be paid for by these American conglomerates.
The Americans, with their 10% tariffs, seem to think that we should be paying for the privilege of having their obnoxious food.
It’s time they put some money back into our economy.
Email, May 19
Geoff Mitchell, Kariong
Editor’s note: While McDonald’s and KFC are American-based companies, Guzman y Gomez is Australian based, founded by Americans Steven Marks and Robert Hazan in Sydney in 2006.
As a Kariong resident,I have no problem with recent approval for the proposed fast food outlets coming to the region.And there’s no doubt more expansion of business will ensue given population growth and the fact that Kariong has no shortage of land space.But the most critical component to establishing this goal is infrastructure, specifically roads.Traffic volumes are rapidly increasing in and around Kariong,so it’s vital the relevant steps are taken,particularly given the fact that Kariong is the gateway to the Central Coast
clogged arteries as far as the eye can see.
Build junk food outlets next door to a school? Really?
It seems that nobody has asked the Kariong residents if they want this unhealthy crap food up here. Bullshit to paying the upgrade for something I never voted for
The infrastructure needs to be built first, before the development starts.
Firstly, the development will mean an increase of trucks and other construction equipment. This will impact on the traffic.
Secondly,the Kariong interchange is overdue for an upgrade. With the fast food court being just off the M1, it will increase the traffic coming off the M1 (and going back on to think about it), of those who decide to grab a bite to eat, or a ‘fast coffee’ in the morning on the way to work.
Thirdly, and I see this as the more important reason, is access to the M1 for emergency services. With the closest fire station to the M1 being at Kariong itself, and the only ambulance station on the M1 being down at the Hawkesbury River, this means that most of the emergency traffic going to assist the numerous accidents on the M1 will be coming up the hill at West Gosford.
With the increase of traffic because of the fast food court (and further developments up there at Kariong), we need to make sure our emergency crews can get to any accident on the M1 as soon as they can.
Whether we like it or not these fastfood giants will be built in our doorsteps. Since that’s the case, Kariong local youths should be given priority on hiring the staff to man these shops.
Another fast food outlet nobody wants or needs. How many do we need in Gosford! More jobs for the Indian immigrants to feeding the fat, lazy Australian population. How about improve the parklands instead.