Where’s your signature Mr Brooks?

Notably Absent Cr Brooks

Nine Gosford City councillors from ten have ratified a statement of support for the renewal of the Gosford City Centre.

 

The document, titled ‘The Gosford City Centre Protocol’, asserts the signatories’ commitment to work collectively in the interests of their community to progress the revitalisation of the Gosford City Centre.

Isn’t this the reason one becomes a councillor in the first place?

According to the Central Coast Express Advocate [Friday 27th June edition], Cr. Brooks refused to sign because he believes planning decisions over the past three decades has been whittled away by state Governments leaving planning decisions now being made behind closed doors.

Councillor Brooks told Richard Noone from the Express Advocate of his concern at being held accountable if he signs the document. My question to not only councillor Brooks but also all of them, “does not your position as councillor makes you accountable now?’. “Has Gosford languished in the doldrums for too long because of party politics and resulting inaction?”

By signing this document, councillors are signalling their willingness to put aside political differences and get on with the job of identifying the best possible master plan and way forward for our area, according to the Mayor of Gosford City, Clr Jim Macfadyen.

“We as a Council look forward to working even more closely with residents over the coming months to come up with the best possible strategy to grow Gosford into a more vibrant and attractive city,” said Clr Macfadyen.

“Gosford has waited long enough for the city centre it deserves,” he said.

The Gosford City Centre Protocol is on display in Council’s foyer cabinet along with a photograph of those Councillors who signed the protocol. Lets hope its not just a worthless piece of paper to make some ‘feel good’. One wonders whether this ‘protocol’ remains as just spirit and principle. With the September local government elections around the corner will we see it demonstrated then? If all candidates are saying the same thing, what then?

In any case this signing is interesting in its timing. The GBID has just been formed with an inaugural CBD member base of 50 and growing. This along with a stronger Gosford District Chamber of Commerce all provides the business community with a loud voice. Gosford City Councillors need to keep up or get left holding the baby.

Both business operators and locals of Gosford are getting more pro-active than ever before, especially those located within the Gosford CBD. There are some fairly large employers in Gosford. Workcover, NRMA, Centrelink, Gateway Centre, to name a few. All these businesses are taking an active interest in seeing Gosford develop and embrace the GBID motto for a safer, cleaner more attractive place to be in. They have to if they would like to attract skilled employees.

Do you believe councillors can put aside political differences for the good of the city? Should we encourage more independents with no political party alliances run for council? Should we, the people of Gosford, elect the Mayor? Interesting times… what do you think?

As a starter will the protocol embrace demolishing that derilict building, now one of Gosford’s negative icons, located on the south side of Mann and Donnison?
Grunt it!

GBID promises much

Overlooking Kibble Park by Val Bridge

 

With the emegence of the Gosford Business Improvement District [GBID] committee in place there comes a new wave of thinking for Gosford’s central business district.

 

 The GBID charter is to make Gosford a safer, cleaner, commercially vibrant, attractive city.

The question is, will it deliver?

The recent AGM saw six commercial property operators, four business owners, and one community organisation elected to the board. Yet to be appointed is a Gosford City Council nominated person. This will, in the interim, be filled by council’s economic advisor John Tilston until a nominee is appointed.

Now that the AGM is behind them they will shortly meet to elect a chairperson and discuss, maybe engage, a general manager. This meeting to be held Wednesday 25th June. The AGM was fairly well attended but seems yet to be taken seriously by the business community within the Gosford CBD. Perhaps many businessess still feel there is a mystery surrounding the formation of the GBID. For instance George Hurst from the Gateway building, a renowned advocate for improving Gosford’s lot, is not on the committee. No doubt George has his reasons!

If you were to advise the committee on what you thought were the important issues facing the city’s improvement what would you suggest they tackle as a matter of urgency. It matters little if you do not work within the CBD. Some of you travel in to do banking, shopping etc. We want people to stop going to Erina and come back to Gosford.

Would it be cleaning up the derelict buildings, landscaping, parking, attracting developers, eliminating the hoons? Certainly there is plenty of scope on where to start. If we projeced the city 50 years hence how would you envisage it? What about the waterfront and Dane Drive? Should this be opened up for development?

Now is a good time to post your thoughts. Actually its a very good time to post your thoughts! Lets see you get involved here. it may surprise you that over 235 visitors have looked over The Gosford Grunt since it was published a week ago. It will only get stronger.

Texting via SMS

Gosford Chamber is considering utilising a members mobile phone number to communicate important dates to remember or as a luncheon reminder.

Good idea, or do you prefer not to receive SMS from the chamber. Mobile numbers are not given out to third parties unless you have authorised this or it is felt giving it to someone who needs your service will benefit you. Even then we respect your privacy and would seek approval before giving out your number.

The idea of blanket texting has an associated cost to it and chamber is not in the habit of wasting valuable cash so before we look to implementing anything of this nature your input is desired.

The question is, “Would you read a text from the chamber or would you delete it as spam?”

How many out of ten?

Much has been said about the Gosford Chamber’s ten point initiative to curb anti-social behaviour within the CBD and look to the way ahead for our city.

In an attempt to eradicate those people who hold Gosford to ransom, chamber has basically shown Gosford Council the way forward!

The police bike patrols are great tools to ‘scare’ individuals who are hell bent on screwing around in Gosford. There have been sightings of these patrolling the streets, but for how long? The other 8 points have not yet been realised and whilst these things take time to implement, unruly behaviour is still evident. Walk along Mann Street or Kibble Park and check it out for yourself. Interestingly the southern end of Mann Street from the Commonwealth Bank has no issue, probably because the Police Station and Church are there. You see, these undesirables are hardly likely to be Christian and certainly do not want to be anywhere near a ‘cop shop’.

One question being asked is “Do we move the ‘attractors’ out of town?”

Relocating certain venues that attract those who continue to yell abusive language all over the place is an appealing proposition, but is it practical? For instance, where would you relocate the Department of Housing? Another great ‘attractor’ is the methadone clinic. Where would that go or should it just be managed more effectively?

The issue is complex and some say developing Gosford as an attractive vibrant living city cannot be achieved unless druggies are removed from our streets. True, to a degree. However it is not as simple as it appears.

There you have it, crystallised. So what do you think? Should we employ more non traditional methods? Give us your views on cleaning up the CBD.