Newcastle Morning Herald - 8th August 2002

Row over bushland clearing

By PAUL MAGUIRE

THE State's biggest industrial subdivision at Tomalpin, near Cessnock, caused heated discussion in Cessnock City Council last night.

Greens councillor Claire Cosh said it was unacceptable that environmental guidelines for the proposal allowed bushland up to three metres wide to be cleared if the developer simply sought approval from a council officer. Cr Cosh also asked council general manager Col Cowan whether the council had contributed $10,000 to a marketing brochure for the subdivision. Cr Cosh said the brochure included inaccurate information and if Mr Cowan confirmed it was inaccurate, would he have copies of the brochure withdrawn.

Labor councillor Bob Pynsent told Cr Cosh she needed a `reality check' as guidelines for the proposal were an Australian benchmark that looked after the community and environment. Mr Cowan said while he had not read the brochure it was correct some council promotional money could have been used for it. Mr Cowan said he would do nothing about withdrawing the brochure without a council direction.