Why wouldn’t the Prime Minister of Australia and his fiancée Jodie Hayden want to live in Copacabana surrounded by our magnificent and unique Coastal Open Space System (COSS)?
Our system of bushland reserves, unique to the Central Coast, was born out of the Rural Lands Study of 1975. Mr Albanese may not be aware that long-standing Labor State Member for Gosford, Brian McGowan (the man behind the bridge), along with the Liberal State Member for Gosford, former Mayor and Gosford City Councillor, Malcolm Brooks were both strong supporters of COSS.
The bipartisan support for COSS from both Mr Brooks and Mr McGowan continued with the Liberal State Member for Gosford, former Mayor and Gosford City Councillor, Chris Holstein and the current Labor State Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch.
Another great supporter of COSS was local conservationist, Hawke Government Minister and Member for Robertson for 21 years, Barry Cohen.
I have written to the Prime Minister inviting him and Jodie to become members of the Friends of COSS – The Community Environment Network’s group dedicated to conserving and expanding COSS to the whole of the Central Coast.
The expansion and protection of COSS, perhaps as a regional park co-managed by community, Traditional Custodians, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Central Coast Council, could make a positive and perpetual contribution to this region’s climate resilience and ongoing biodiversity.
CEN is acutely aware of the need for more social and affordable housing but we do not believe increasing housing supply can be at the expense of nature. If regions like the Central Coast are to remain inhabitable and we are to avoid regional extinction of flora and fauna, we must conserve our bushland. COSS is the perfect vehicle for achieving such conservation.
I’ve informed Mr Albanese that COSS is a model that could be applied across Australia to complement our National Parks Estate.
CEN hopes Mr Albanese accept our invitation and follow in the footsteps of many other local residents, including Mr McGowan, Mr Brooks, Mr Cohen, Mr Holstein and Ms Tesch, by taking a strong and active interest in their local environment.
Gary Chestnut, Chair
