Port Stephens Councillors have unanimously endorsed the waiving of development application fees relating to the renovation of the Nelson Bay home of deceased NSW Police Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.
Sergeant Richardson was tragically killed on duty in March this year after a crash during a pursuit in Allandale.
The ‘Margi’s House’ project, coordinated by the NSW Police and Channel 9, will see works undertaken on behalf of Sergeant Richardson’s wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and the couple’s two sons.
The project will be featured in a story to be aired on A Current Affair.
“It’s only a small contribution but it’s one I am proud that Council was able to make,” Mayor Bruce MacKenzie said.
“I’d personally met Sergeant Richardson on a couple of occasions and he was very dedicated to his work, and by extension to the people of Port Stephens, as all our local Policemen and women are. He was a dedicated, professional officer and his passing was a tragedy.”
“Helping out by waiving development fees is the least we could do to honor Sergeant Richardson and his family.
I commend the NSW Police and Channel 9 for their involvement in this wonderful gesture to the Richardson family,” Mayor MacKenzie said.
Council agreed to waive all fees and charges for the development application and construction certificate, including undertaking all mandatory inspections.