16 DECEMBER 2022
ISSUE 372
Council to revisit proposed changes to off-leash dog areas
News
Water bombing helicopter on alert at Warnervale airport See page 6
Out&About
Central Coast Council will revise and simplify its draft Dogs in Open Spaces Action Plan following community backlash over some of its recommendations, with CEO David Farmer giving an assurance no changes will be made to existing dog access areas over summer.
Rock the Farm comes to Kulnura in January See page 13
Business
See page 4 Residents want the off-leash dog area at Pippi Point to remain
Waterfront revitalisation plan powers ahead Central Coast Council says most of the community wants it to power ahead with its concept plan for the revitalisation of the Gosford waterfront precinct, despite major concerns raised by environmental groups. Council says the community showed “resounding support” for the plan during the consultation period, which ended on December 1, and it will now set about trying to secure government funding to progress the project. Thousands of community members right across the region gave feedback and made suggestions with a high-
level summary of the engagement presented to the December 13 meeting. CEO David Farmer said it was clear the community wanted Council to keep moving ahead with the project. “Over the last six weeks our engagement activities have enabled people to view the proposed concept plan on-line and in person at drop-in sessions,” he said. “Feedback has been positive, with some terrific suggestions and ideas to further evolve and improve the concept plan.” Farmer said there was an 81.5 per cent favourable response through various optin channels abnd that (broader)
market research indicated an even higher approval rating of 93 per cent support. “We will now take this rich data and feed it into the next part of the project, which is to start the master planning process and developing the next stage of design detail to enable a NSW Government investment decision. “Having a mix of entertainment, shopping, dining, maritime services, tourism, residential living, recreation and a significant increase in public spaces is key in creating the revitalised waterfront.” He said suggestions which needed to be taken into account
in informing a more detailed design included establishing a connection between the railway station and the foreshore and ferry terminal; opening up the pool building and the park adjacent; moving the wharf fingers to cut back on impeding water views from the stadium; and providing more walkways, perhaps including a series of arching overpasses incorporating gardens. Farmer said the next step was to secure State Government funding to progress the project. “Council is seeking a commitment from both major parties to fund delivery of the Concept Plan for Gosford waterfront, commencing with
an $8.5M contribution to conduct the next stage of work, which is to develop a waterfront masterplan and complete a feasibility analysis and business case,” he said. Mark Ellis from the Central Coast Branch of Australian Conservation Foundation addressed the public forum prior to the Council meeting and said for all the statistics offered in the engagement summary and the market survey, 61 per cent of respondents were unaware of the development and only 43 per cent of the 600 survey respondents supported the plan. Continued page 6
EV charger opens at Tumbi Umbi See page 22
Sport
England and Germany to make the Coast base camp for 2023 World Cup campaign See page 32
Puzzles page 18
Thursday 9 February 2023 at Wyong Race Club Celebrate Together!
Meet new people and connect with local community groups, services providers, and more.
Central Coast Council
Seniors Expo
Download your calendar of Seniors Festival events at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/seniorsfestival or pick up your free copy at your local library or 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre.