Disappointing start for new Council – Economic Development Committee deferred

Undoubtedly the most important item on the agenda for Council’s October 29^th meeting was the last item of business, a notice of motion by Councillors Eaton, McNamara and Wright for the establishment of an Economic Development Committee for the term of the Council.

It would consist of five councillors plus the mayor and meet every month. They would be  councillors McWaide, Mouland, McNamara, Lamont and Crowley plus the Mayor.

With business confidence on the Central Coast at a very low ebb following the anti- development culture of council over the past eight years the establishment of this committee was seen to be the most urgent of all moves to get the economy and confidence in the region moving.

In moving the motion Clr Eaton said that he expected he would get unanimous support for the motion. He said it was about setting a new direction for this council. “It is recognition that economic development is critical to our region,” he said. “So, we don’t get the antics of the last council.”

In particular he drew everyone’s attention to what went on with Warnervale Airport and the waste of a million dollars tearing up a lease to Amphibian Aviation Industries.

Instead, a debate that took almost half an hour ensued with Councillor Smith with support from Clrs Lamont and Walsh insisting on an additional six members drawn from the community and not-for-profit sectors.

Finally, Clr Neil successfully moved that the motion be laid ‘on the table’ for discussion at future meetings and got the support of all councillors except for Councillors Eaton, McNamara and McWaide.