CENTRAL COAST ENVIRONMENT GROUPS TALK STATE ELECTION STRATEGY

Sunday, 12 May 2002 10:00

The environment is set to take a front seat in marginal seats along the Central Coast, after a meeting between local groups and peak environmental advocate, Total Environment Centre.

At the invitation of local environmental campaigners, Jeff Angel, Director of the Total Environment Centre meet with Central Coast environment groups this week, to discuss the future of the region and the State Election. They discussed election strategies and the likely flow of preferences in marginal seats.

Jeff Angel said; "There is clear developer influence in coastal development and communities are being forgotten in a surge of concrete. The next four years will be crucial to the future environment, water, sustainable development and urban amenity of the Central Coast. I recall that Total Environment Centre supported the initial election of ALP MP Grant McBride, many years ago. The advice from local groups now about the actions of Mr McBride appears to show that this was a mistake."

Sylvia Turner, President of the Wyong Shire Ratepayers and Residents Association also attended the meeting. She said; "Chris Hartcher is now very senior in the Opposition and as a former Minister for the Environment, the Central Coast should be able to expect a better deal in Opposition policies!"