Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

There have been decades of discussions, forums and thought bubbles on how to reinvigorate the city of Gosford. In the last few weeks we have finally seen a giant step forward to help make this a reality, a reality that will deliver 600 new jobs into Gosford in an A-grade centre of excellence—600 opportunities for people to work locally. The centre of excellence will be built on a portion, less than 30 per cent, of the old Gosford Public School site—a portion subdivided through Gosford City Council back in May.

You would expect members opposite to back a better future for Gosford, but instead Labor would prefer to drive a cacophony of false claims about how the 600 jobs will supposedly prevent any hope of seeing a performing arts centre also built in Gosford, simply to create a smokescreen for their own anti-jobs and anti-infrastructure agenda. It is a crying shame. As I fought for 600 jobs in Gosford, I will also fight for a performing arts centre for Gosford, a centre that the New South Wales government and Gosford City Council announced plans for four years ago on crown land adjacent to, not on, the public school site. As the Central Coast Express Advocate editorial said in 2012, 'Surely no-one opposes new commercial development in the heart of Gosford.' We have been crying out for it for years. Unfortunately Labor does, so it can drive its own anti-jobs agenda.

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