Voice of the Peninsula 9 DECEMBER 2021
ISSUE 039
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
Fast and loud at 94
News
Four community organisations and clubs on the Peninsula have received nearly $19,000 in grants to support local projects. See page 4
Out & About
An artist has launched a solo exhibition in Woy Woy to celebrate ‘love and life’ and encourage locals to seek peace this holiday season. See page 13
Business
Local resident Cecily Crencice fulfilled a lifelong dream last week when she got on the back of a Harley trike. See page 14
Woy Woy in Narara district in latest regional plan Woy Woy has been named as a strategic centre in the latest version of the NSW Government’s Regional Plan for the Central Coast. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, UDIA Central Coast Chair, Caine King, and Business NSW Central Coast Regional Director, Paula Martin, announced the plan at Gosford Leagues Park on December 6. Building upon the 2016 Central Coast Regional Plan 2036, the State Government has widened the net and extended its vision in the Draft Central Coast Regional Plan 2041, which is said to have been largely influenced by changes in the way people
work and live in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has announced an updated vision for the next 20 years on the Coast, focussing on what it is calling a “15-minute region”. The premise is to concentrate on taking a holistic approach to neighbourhoods and ensure that planning,job,infrastructure and housing decisions are coordinated with the aim of providing everything residents need withing a 15-minute walk, cycle or drive from their home. For the Woy Woy Peninsula, the plan says, the emphasis will need to be on development proposals which protect the scenic quality of the area and retain its
“unique environmental character”. “Increased housing choices will be focused close to public transport and need to consider sustainable ways of accommodating short stays for visitors,” the plan says. Woy Woy has been included in the Narara District in the plan – one of four districts covering the entire region. The government is encouraging community feedback on the revised draft plan before March 4 next year. “This is our blueprint to ensure the Central Coast prospers and the community’s feedback is critical to make sure we get it right,” Crouch said at the launch.
“Tourism will play a major role in helping our region recover from the pandemic, which is why we proposed strategies to keep public transport operating later and allow bars and galleries to open longer in our tourist hotspots. “Housing affordability is a key priority and the plan would set up a group of housing experts and service providers to track and supply the land, housing and infrastructure needed for communities to thrive.” King said the Central Coast is unique in having one Regional Plan, one Local Government Authority and one Local Aboriginal Land Council. “We must capitalise on this opportunity to act in a
cooperative manner to deliver the jobs and housing needed on the Central Coast,” he said. “Our members are up to the challenge of building smarter and more sustainable and compact communities, where daily activities are contained within a 15-minute walk or ride. “We need this strategic planning developed for both future green field and brown field developments, to provide direction and confidence for the development industry.” King said the plan sets achievable targets for infrastructure and affordable housing which was really important. Continued page 8
A local law firm has returned to its Woy Woy roots after merging with Peninsula Law last month. See page 23
Education
Peninsula teachers and principals walked out of work for 24 hours on Tuesday, December 7, as new figures show the number of vacant permanent teaching positions in NSW has increased to more than 3,000. See page 29
Puzzles page 18
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