Issue 184 of COAST Community News

Page 1

JUNE 7, 2018

YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

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PH: 4325 7369

ISSUE 184

“The time for Gosford to shine has finally arrived,” - NSW Planning Minister

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SW Minister for Planning and Housing, Mr Anthony Roberts, visited Gosford on May 28 to announce funding of $52m for infrastructure and public space in Gosford. Mr Roberts also announced a new Gosford City State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP), which provides a new development assessment and approvals framework giving the NSW Department of Planning, not Central Coast Council, authority over developments in the Gosford CBD valued at $10m or over. Mr Roberts said his announcements were a watershed moment for the capital of the Central Coast. He said the $52m would see well-overdue work being done to upgrade the infrastructure and public domain, which will attract development, improve business opportunities and attract residents. “The time for Gosford to shine has finally arrived,” Mr Roberts said. “After listening to the community, we have developed a multi-pronged, design-led delivery to ensure the Central Coast has a regional capital it can be proud of,” he said. “The $52m announcement involves $42m to upgrade vital infrastructure in Gosford City Centre, plus $10m for public domain upgrades. “That will include the creation of a significant regional playground as part of a major renewal of the parklands and streetscapes near the Gosford

Mr Taylor Martin MLC, Mr Adam Crouch Member for Terrigal, Mr Anthony Roberts NSW Planning Minister, Mr Scot MacDonald Parliamentary Secretary, Ms Lee Shearer Coordinator General, Mr Michael Cassel CEO CCRDC

waterfront. “This funding is in addition to the $406m that has been invested by this Government on the hospital redevelopment, associated infrastructure and other city centre upgrades, further to the 300 Office of Finance and Services jobs we are bringing to the City.” The NSW Government Architect released another two reports for the community to view and comment on. Place Report 2 focuses on connecting Gosford Hospital to the city over the train station (See separate article for more detail). Place Report 3 focuses on linking the city to the waterfront parklands in the city’s south west (See separate article for more detail).

“The Government Architect’s recommendations focus on connections between Gosford Hospital and Mann St, as well as making the waterfront parklands a destination for visitors and the community,” Mr Roberts said. He said the new Gosford City State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) would provide design-led, streamlined, flexible and efficient statutory development controls. “The new State Planning Policy will be supported by a new development assessment and approvals framework and case management process. “A Special Infrastructure Contribution (SIC) will also be applied to Gosford City Centre to enable the Department of Planning and Environment to collect contributions for

revitalisation of infrastructure that supports growth as the program continues to roll out. “The proposal is that the overall amount to be collected will reduce from 4 per cent of the value of development to 3 per cent. “The reduction in contributions will encourage investment and is a big vote of confidence by the NSW Government in Gosford, and a demonstration of our commitment to delivering a revitalised city centre. “The planning policy and the infrastructure contribution will align with the Government Architect’s recommendations to drive the continued renewal of Gosford City Centre.” The new planning framework will remain a stand-alone state policy until the Central

Coast Council completes its comprehensive LEP, which could be some years away. Mr Roberts also unveiled the City of Gosford Design Advisory Panel, a body that brings together the highest calibre planning and design minds in the country to assess, advise and ensure design excellence of proposed developments in Gosford City Centre. The Panel comprises NSW Government Architect, Mr Peter Poulet, Coordinator General for the Central Coast, Ms Lee Shearer, NSW Chief Planner, Mr Gary White, and two additional panel members drawn from an established group of practitioners. The Planning Department, in close collaboration with Central Coast Council, Roads and Maritime Services, and

Transport for NSW, has also formed a Traffic and Parking Subcommittee to tackle the issue of car parking in Gosford City Centre. Central Coast Council welcomed the announcement. Mayor Jane Smith said investment in the CBD was welcomed, however Council would be calling for an extension to the public exhibition period to the end of July on the planning changes. “Whilst the promise of $52m is certainly welcome, we need to ensure the proposed changes to planning controls serve the community’s best interests,” Mayor Smith said. “Council does not feel that the community will have enough time to view and comment on the draft SEPP and SIC contained in the Consultation Paper or the first two Government Architect reports, and will be calling on the NSW Government to extend this timeline. “Council and the community need to examine in detail these proposed planning controls to ensure decisions for Gosford are inclusive of both Council and the community. “Council and the community should be at the heart of the revitalisation of the Gosford city centre and it’s critical that we remain at the centre of the planning and approval process for development. “That is why I will be asking the CEO to look very closely at the announcement and ask for an urgent briefing to Council from the Department of Planning and Environment and Continued P4

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au


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