Gosford CBD a disgrace and deserves better

 

Bill Kerr addressing the Chamber Luncheon on Wednesday 12th November

“The CBD is a disgrace and those who conduct business or visit the area deserve better”. These are some of the words uttered by a relaxed and confident Bill Kerr during his address to the Gosford chamber luncheon yesterday, 12th November, at Iguana Joes.

With over 90 guests attending the luncheon, some travelling from Sydney to hear him, he concluded his address by fielding tricky questions with authority. This alone shows he has done a bit of homework on the city.

After so many past disappointments at getting the regions capital city into line with the ‘living city concept’ we might just have the right chap to take us there. We had John McInerney the Architect a Town Planner with special interests in transport and heritage. And as a past National President of the Planning Institute of Australia and former Manager of Planning for the City of Sydney and City of Melbourne, had high hopes for his deliverance. 

Then came Frank Sartor, but not much happened there, now we rest our hopes on Bill Kerr. He openley stated how important it is to consult with all stakeholders for their views on Gosford’s future. He has discussed issues with local education specialists, looked into the social fabric of Gosford, beaten a path to local property holders and generally talked his pants off to get to the root of the problem, before looking to implement anything at all. For this he is to be congratulated.

“Gosford is located in one of the most beautiful settings in Australia,” Mr Kerr said, referring to the nearby waterfront and the scenic hills. “But it puzzles me why the waterfront and the town centre have not been connected,” he said.

It seems every man/woman and his/her dog wishes that derelict building gracing Donnison and Mann to be redeveloped. Spurbest also has been brought into the equation. We all know we have the basic ingredients for a beautiful place, all it needs is a team with creative insight and the ‘nouse’ to get it going. Make those hard decisions which will not please everyone, Kibble is an example of that, and get moving.

Kerr dispeled some of the myths surrounding Gosford Public School, and wonders just where the local media get their stories from. He openly states he knows not what outcomes will eventuate, but the demands made of his team will ensure the highest quality by the time they are formed in 2009 and promises to give future development an edge. Glossy brochures alone do not impress this bloke!

The Gosford Challenge Launch

The Grunt agrees with the Mayor Chris Holstein and Bill Kerr when they openly tell those who consistently knock our city by the water to move somewhere else.

The Grunt asks the question. Do we start at the waterfront and move development toward the CBD? Or do we start within the CBD and work toward the waterfront? Either way the waterfront is our oyster and forms an integral part of any development plan. Check out the Gosford Challenge website. And more here.

Get involved here, ‘cause your thoughts are not only welcome, they are vital.