Council moves forward with short-term parking solutions for Gosford

In response to the increasing demands for commuter parking and heightened economic activity in Gosford City Centre, Council has approved the allocation of $1.4million to fund the design and construction of a short-term car park at 10 Racecourse Road, West Gosford.

Council has identified car parking as an emerging issue across the region and recognises the need for a consistent integrated approach to the issue of parking to meet the community’s current and future needs.

The report confirmed the significant demand for all day parking for the Gosford CBD, with current publicly available supply at capacity due to demand driven by Gosford Train Station, the CBD Commercial Core and the Central Coast Heath District.

Parking capacity in the CBD could experience further strain through the potential future loss of the privately owned Kibbleplex car parking spaces.

Gosford CBD parking will also be impacted by the large number of approved development applications in recent years including commercial office developments such as the ATO building and the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation building.

In addition to the construction of the new short-term car park in West Gosford, the report detailed a series of short-term parking solutions including:

• Utilising spare capacity at Baker Street Car Park
• Utilising spare capacity at Central Coast Leagues Club car parking
• Implement a park and ride (bus) scheme on the fringe of the CBD

Council will also seek funding from the State Government to undertake investigations, civil design and construction of a short-term car park at Faunce Street, West Gosford.

Mayor Jane Smith said the issue of car parking in Gosford is both a critical and complex one.

“Gosford is growing rapidly and emerging as the commercial heart of the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.

“Part of this transition will involve really looking at how we can accommodate the needs of everyone who need to come into the city centre.

“Parking is certainly at a critical point and we need to investigate and implement practical parking solutions for the community who need to travel to and park in the city for work, to conduct business or for leisure and recreation.

“We also need to look to the medium and longer term needs of the Gosford City Centre and find solutions for people commuting here every day including options for leaving the car at home and using public transport to and from Gosford City Centre.

“Council will continue to work with the Department of Planning and Environment, Roads and Maritime Services and Transport for NSW to ensure a co-ordinated and considered approach to these issues for our growing community.”

Council rejects proposed Ourimbah drug and alcohol facility

Council has rejected an application for a transitional group home for drug and alcohol rehabilitation at 74 Glen Road, Ourimbah.

The supplementary report to Council stated that there has been insufficient information supplied to satisfy Council that the development will have adequate sewer servicing and that the site is suitable for the proposed on-site sewage management system having regard for site topography, soil characteristics and potential impacts on adjoining properties, the endangered ecological community and the watercourse.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council had considered this proposed development carefully including attending a site visit with seven Councillors in June to inspect the location and understand the concerns of neighbours and the local community.

“There has been considerable community interest in the development and Council received 166 submissions on the application”.

“This is clearly a sensitive matter for everyone in the community and despite the merits of this service being provided within the community, Council does not believe adequate sewer servicing has been provided for the facility nor have the potential impacts of the proposed on-site sewage system been adequately demonstrated. Based on these grounds, we have refused this application.”

Council prepares for unprecedented funding opportunities

Council has received a report on current and future grant funding submissions as unprecedented opportunities become available in the lead up to State and Federal elections.

As at October Council had submitted 70 grant funding applications and been awarded more than $63million in funding across 40 projects.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council had produced a high volume of complex grant funding expressions of interest, business cases and applications.

“Council is doing everything it can to secure grant funding for projects that will make a difference to the Central Coast community,” Mayor Smith said.

“During this exciting time of grant funding opportunity, Council staff are to be commended for their work in developing complex grant funding applications.”

Major NSW Government funding opportunities include:

• Housing Acceleration Fund – $1.6billion across all of NSW
• Regional Growth Fund – $1.6billion across regional NSW
• Arts and Cultural Development Programs

Major Federal Funding Opportunities include:

• Building Better Regions Fund Round 3

A number of further grant funding opportunities are expected to be made available to Council in the coming months.

Council’s over $219million capital works investment on-track

Council is on-track to invest over $219million in its capital works program, which spans the region’s road network, water and sewer services, the local environment, community facilities, and open space and recreation facilities .

Mayor Jane Smith said a status report as at 30 September identified that the majority of capital works projects are on schedule for delivery this financial year.

“Our capital works program is a key part of our contract with the Central Coast community,” Mayor Smith said.

“We monitor our capital works projects carefully to ensure we can make contingencies for any factors that may delay projects such as wet weather.”

Some of Council’s capital works program includes 574 roads and drainage projects, 185 water and sewerage projects, 61 open space and recreation projects, and 40 projects to enhance our natural and environmental assets.

Strong growth for Council’s investment portfolio

Council’s current cash and investment portfolio stands at $480.85million, following a net return of $1million for September.

Mayor Jane Smith said the Investment Report for September 2018 demonstrated Council’s strong financial position.

“Wisely managing Council’s investments is one of our core commitments to the Central Coast community,” Mayor Smith said.

“Maintaining a strong financial position allows Council to continue to deliver important projects and initiatives for our region.”

The management and monitoring of Council’s investment portfolio takes into account credit ratings of financial institutions, the investment portfolio already held with each financial institution and interest rates offered.

Council asks for resident concerns over proposed 34-unit building for Toukley be considered

Council agreed that Chief Executive Officer, Gary Murphy will write to the Hunter Central Coast Regional Planning Panel to ask that issues raised by adjoining residents be taken into account when considering approval of a 34-residential flat complex in Toukley.

Local residents have expressed concern about a proposal to build the complex at 6-10 Dunleigh St which will house one one-bedroom and 33 two-bedroom units in a four-storey building at 6-10 Dunleigh St, Toukley.

Valued at $9.1million, consent for the project sits with the Panel which will consider an assessment report which recommends the application be approved.

Council officers provided advice in the assessment phase and have recommended that any approval include conditions relating to the physical building and its ongoing management by a recognised community housing provider.

Council to consider future of Baker Park and Race Course areas in Wyong

Council will meet with community groups to discuss current and potential future uses of the Baker Park and Race Course areas in Wyong before reviewing historical data to begin a master planning process.

As part of the process Council will note the reclassification of lots from community to operational, specifically Ithome, Howard, Levitt, Warner and Rose Streets.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council recognised the significance of both the Baker Park and Race Course areas in Wyong.

“These are important sites for our community that are used by a number of community groups,

“We are experiencing significant growth on the Central Coast, particularly in our north, and it is vital that we consider the future of significant sites carefully to ensure we deliver what our community wants and needs.”

Council will hold an initial meeting with interested groups in November 2018 and will report back to Council in December on key issues and themes for a master planning process.

Council consults with community on Gwandalan playground and will consider options in detail

Council has consulted with local community members on options for a local play space in the vicinity of a recent subdivision alongside Kanangra Drive, Gwandalan.

Council received a report that addressed questions raised by the local community and resident group – Gwandalan and Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group (GaSPPIG).

The report identifies Tunkuwallin Oval, Gwandalan as a potential new location for a playground and details why the originally planned local play space was not constructed.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council will now look carefully at the options available to deliver the best outcome for residents.

“We are now in a position to move forward with further research and negotiations to deliver the best outcome for Gwandalan,” Mayor Smith said.

“The next step will be for Council to receive a report on the constraints, design and cost for the project.

“We will look closely at Tunkuwallin Oval as an option but will continue to investigate other options including securing the minimum area for a pocket playground in the new subdivision and a playground connected to the school grounds opposite the development.”

Councillors will also have the opportunity to participate in a site visit.

Council rejects rezoning of Dooralong Public School site

Council has resolved to reject a proposal to rezone the Dooralong Public School site to RU5 Village under the Wyong Local Environment Plan (2013) and introduce a minimum lot size of 2500m² over the land.

The concept proposal indicated the subdivision of the land into six allotments, five of which would range in area from 2,600m² to 3,790m², with a larger sixth lot (24,969m²) containing the remaining bushland. No subdivision concept for this land was supplied.

The rezoning proposal was rejected based on several grounds including: the school site not being the preferred site for a village in the Dooralong Valley; the proposal not being inconsistent with the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036; the proposal would diminish the local prominence and heritage values of the group of school buildings; and the proposal would not retain the character of the locality or avoid impacts to environmental values.

In addition, the report to Council noted the proposal would likely result in substantial clearing and soil disturbance to accommodate accesses, bushfire hazard mitigation and on-site sewage management as well as impact the Central Coast drinking catchment.

Mayor Jane Smith said it was clear this proposal posed significant environmental and heritage risks and should not go ahead at this time.

“This site provides a natural connective habitat for wildlife in the locality,” Mayor Smith said.

“Rezoning would likely result in the removal of vegetation and habitat and create environmental impacts which can be avoided. There is no strategic merit for the proposal as presented and the level of information Council has been provided with is inadequate to support the proposal.”