Gosford Regional Library on the horizon

Central Coast Council is moving forward with the long-awaited Gosford Regional Library and Innovation Hub at the Parkside site, Donnison Street, Gosford.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said she is thrilled to see this catalyst project proceed for Gosford CBD, helping to create a vibrant and sustainable region.

“There is an urgent need for the delivery of the Regional Library to provide contemporary and future multi-use spaces where our community can meet, connect and learn,” Mayor Matthews said.

“The community has significant investment and interest in progressing this project, so it is essential we now put our energy and efforts into making it a reality.

“To ensure the project moves as quickly as possible, planning of the tender process for design and construction has commenced and we anticipate the development application will be lodged as early as June next year.

“Following discussions with the current Parkside tenants, demolition and construction works have been pushed back to February 2021 so as not to disrupt the stability of the services offered as well as ample time to relocate.

“I want to reiterate this development is not dependant on the closure of existing branches, but a hero development that will help meet the ongoing social, recreational, educational and technological needs of our growing community and improve our residents’ quality of life.”

Budget allocations of $1.115million for the Gosford Cultural Precinct have been reallocated for the design and development stage of the Regional Library to get underway, with further estimates and costings to be completed as part of the 2020-21 budget process.

Staff are currently finalising discussions with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development to secure the $7million Federal funding to help deliver this state-of-the-art facility.

As a result of the Regional Library moving ahead as a stand-alone project, all conveyancing negotiations for 135-137 Erina Street East, Gosford will be discontinued and all tenders received for the Gosford Cultural Precinct will now be declined, with applicants to be notified as soon as possible.

Record breaking tourism expenditure exceeds first year targets

Council has reported a record breaking $1billion in tourism expenditure in the first year as outlined in the Actions of the Destination Management Plan 2018-21.

The achieved expenditure has surpassed Council’s 2021 target of $921million.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said in one year the Central Coast has already seen an overall shift in tourism.

“It’s great to see the results of the first year of the Actions of the Destination Management Plan 2018-21 and the impacts it has had on our visitor economy,” Mayor Matthews said.

“It shows the effectiveness of our targeted campaigns, with an increase of 43.9% of visits to the Visit Central Coast website and over 200 new business listings added to the site.

“The results have also identified a number of opportunities to encourage visitors all year round and we held a number of events in 2019 which contributed towards achieving this, including hosting the LGNSW Tourism Conference, the development of the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan and opening the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex.

“The plan identifies actions to boost community support through tourism employment pathways for young people such as the development of the Young Ambassador Program.

“Tourism is one of the biggest industries on the Coast, and it is recommended that the focus on tourism development and destination management be maintained.” 

The newly endorsed Tourism Opportunity Plan sets out three key strategic priorities, supporting priority projects and underlying actions to assist Council to take a proactive facilitative role in delivering economic and community benefits for tourism across the region.

Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy to promote economic growth

Council has adopted the Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy after a period of public consultation.

The Draft Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy (the Strategy) is a set of directions, actions and catalyst projects for the community, Government and the development sector to create a sustainable Corridor that the community want to live and work in.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Strategy is important to assist in creating an economic and vibrant community into the future.

“As a Council, it’s important for us that the Central Coast is seen as the growing and competitive region that it is. It’s a wonderful place to live however we want to target economic development in growth areas and major centres as well as provide incentives to attract businesses to the Central Coast,” Mayor Matthews said.

“This plan will help us revitalise Gosford City Centre, Gosford Waterfront and the town centres as key destinations and attractors for business, residents, visitors and tourists.

It was further recommended that Council review the strategy every five years.

Gosford CBD Heritage Strategy highlights industrial and Indigenous history

The new Gosford CBD Heritage Strategy will draw on the city’s industrial past and Aboriginal culture.

Adopted by Council last night, the strategy will use heritage interpretation to change the perception of the Gosford CBD for residents and visitors.

There will be a renewed focus on heritage places and storytelling.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the new strategy would preserve the legacy of the Gosford CBD.

“The strategy positions Gosford at the forefront of innovative, creative and contemporary heritage interpretation and uses this to drive tourism, capacity building, and place-based planning initiatives,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Place-based heritage interpretation is used to connect people more closely to their homes and to improve their health and wellbeing.”

More than 120 people participated in a face-to-face consultation while a further 38 submissions were made online during the public consultation period earlier this year

Streambank rehab for Jilliby Creek

Council will proceed with streambank rehabilitation works on private land along Jilliby Creek under the continued implementation of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan.

The work will be completed on a priority section of Jilliby Creek to address ongoing erosion and to reduce siltation of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary.

The Wyong River Streambank Rehabilitation project will improve water quality and ecology both in the immediate vicinity and downstream by rehabilitating and stabilising the river bank to improve habitat and water quality.  

 The project is funded through the NSW Government’s Improving Your Local Parks and Environment grant.