A new report released today shows significant progress has been made in the second year of the NSW Government’s 20-year blueprint for development of the fast-growing Central Coast.
Coordinator General for the Central Coast, Lee Shearer, said highlights of the Central Coast Regional Plan 2018 Monitoring Report included the launch of the final vision to revitalise Gosford City Centre, and actions to support the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“Together we’ve made enormous progress over the past year in the ongoing delivery of the Regional Plan for the Central Coast,” Ms Shearer said.
“It was an especially proud moment in October when we released the final package of measures to pave the way for the revitalisation of Gosford as the region’s vibrant and thriving capital.
“The Government Architect’s Urban Design Framework, and planning controls implementing the vision, will drive further investment, attract new residents, business, tourists, cultural activity and jobs. They will make Gosford the regional capital it deserves to be,” she said.
Ms Shearer said the launch of the Strategic Conservation Planning project was another watershed moment.
“This project is the most comprehensive conservation planning exercise undertaken for the Central Coast and one of the largest undertaken in Australia.
“It will ensure the Central Coast’s unique natural environment is protected while the region meets its long-term housing and employment needs.
“The project will identify the most important biodiversity areas and establish measures to protect these values and offset any biodiversity impacts, on a region-wide basis, replacing the current process where decisions are made on a site-by-site basis,” Ms Shearer said.
Another milestone was the recent release of the Darkinjung Delivery Framework (DDF) Consultation Paper on exhibition.
The DDF Consultation Paper comprises a set of planning measures to assist the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council achieve better economic outcomes from its land.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and the Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, said the DDF implements a key Direction of the Regional Plan -to strengthen the economic self-determination of Aboriginal communities.
“These planning measures are a first for the state and will lead the way in their breadth, depth and ambition to bring about positive outcomes for Aboriginal people that will benefit the entire Central Coast region,” Mr MacDonald said.
Other key highlights in 2018 include:
- $42 million of NSW Government funding for the much-needed upgrade of water and sewer infrastructure in Gosford City Centre
- $10 million of NSW Government funding to upgrade Leagues Club Field, including the creation of a regional park and playground
- Delivery of the Housing and Employment Supply Snapshot to provide a stocktake of current housing and employment lands across the Central Coast
- Preparation of the Southern Growth Corridor Strategy ready for exhibition
- Operation of the Interagency and Council Working Group to address land use needs west of the M1 Pacific Motorway
- Launch of the Central Coast Regional Plan Info Centre in late February, a space to engage and inform the public about the implementation program, that has had more than 1,000 visitors.
View the Annual Monitoring Report 2018
