Council approves West Street Umina shop top housing development

Council has approved a development application for a shop top housing development in West Street Umina comprising two shops, 20 residential units and car parking.

No. 211-213 West Street, Umina is currently occupied by two double-storey commercial premises with a bitumen carpark at the rear of the premises. Once completed, the development will accommodate two ground floor shops, 20 residential units and basement and ground floor parking for 31 cars.

The estimated value of the development is $7.5Million.

Water security a high priority for Council

Central Coast Council has taken further steps to ensure water security for the region by approving changes to its current water restriction trigger guidelines and moving to undertake a review of its ‘Integrated Water Resources Plan’.

The review of the Integrated Water Resources Plan will be undertaken in close collaboration with the NSW Department of Industry and Hunter Water Corporation, to help identify any mutually beneficial opportunities between the two regions.

It will also take into account NSW Department of Industry’s ‘Greater Hunter Regional Water Strategy’ which sets a foundation for better regional water management.

As part of the Integrated Water Resources Plan, Council will review the Central Coast’s long term water demand and supply, look at risk mitigation opportunities and re-evaluate its drought management system to ensure the Coast’s current and future water needs are met.

Council will also increase its public awareness campaigns to ensure that water continues to be used as efficiently as possible within the community.

Council Mayor Jane Smith said “Council is taking a proactive approach to ensuring the ongoing security of the water supply by taking account of the latest information so it can respond to future water needs.”

Preserving our Town Centres

Central Coast Council will establish a Town Centres Advisory Committee to oversee the transition to a more strategic and regional model to town centre management on the Central Coast.

This follows Council’s resolution on 10 December 2018 to seek further information on the proposed current Town Centre Management model to give the best value for the community and ensure services, infrastructure, events and activations are delivered effectively.

Interested Councillors, relevant Council staff and up to 10 community/business members will form the Town Centres Advisory Committee which will help preserve the local identity of town centres and the individual needs of each community while encouraging sustainability and growth.

Council to progress with review of community facilities

Central Coast Council will review the use and management of community facilities to put forward a model for the future, which will address inconsistencies in approach, tenure and fees.

A progress report was presented to Council with a status update of the review of community facilities. The review will include facilities operated by a lease, licence, volunteer committee or hired arrangement. Council has a wide range of community facilities including community halls, community centres, community cottages, arts and cultural facilities and sport and recreation centres.

The establishment of a working group of interested Councillors and relevant staff is currently underway to directly engage with the community and understand the key issues.

Council will engage an independent facilitator to assist with the project, which will help to provide options and provide an independent lens to the project.

Following the review, a draft policy and framework will be presented to Council in late 2019.

Community to be consulted on unsolicited proposals

Central Coast Council will ask the community for input into the development of a formal policy on how it should manage unsolicited proposals for large commercial projects.

Council proposes to introduce a policy on how it should respond when it is approached by businesses and other organisations that want to work in partnership on innovative projects.

The proposed policy would not replace Council’s usual procurement process, and would apply only when an unsolicited proposal has unique attributes and meets the goals of the Central Coast Community Strategic Plan; One Coast.

ENDS