Central Coast Council reveals 12 “enabling projects” on funding wishlist
Almost half a billion in government funding would be a Christmas miracle for council as it reveals its top 12 “enabling” projects that require a financial kick along to get moving. See the full list.
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Twelve projects from a revitalised Gosford waterfront to aviation hub and regional sports complex have been revealed as part of Central Coast Council’s funding wishlist.
While it would take a Christmas miracle to get funding for all 12 projects in the short term, the council has prepared its Key Enabling Projects Prospectus 2022 which states “the Central Coast is a region on the rise”.
A whopping tally of $484,495,000 is needed from either the state or federal governments to either kick start or complete the range of projects.
The list is expected to come before Tuesday’s council meeting to get the tick of approval by Administrator Rik Hart.
According to the council report, the Prospectus “outlines investment priorities for Central Coast Council over the next three to five years”.
“The Prospectus provides a clear vision for Council’s priorities and forms a key document to advocate for investment in the Central Coast from the Federal and NSW governments,” the report states.
The document will also assist council “to advocate for investment priorities” ahead of the March 2023 State Election.
The report states that the council would need to appropriately match any funding and stressed that not all of the region’s key projects were included in the prospectus.
Check out the 12 projects on the wishlist:
GOSFORD WATERFRONT
Council says “the time is right to make Gosford an iconic waterfront city”.
The Gosford Waterfront Concept Plan was released in September with plans for a ferry terminal, conference centre, shop top housing and a bustling marina.
The $687m concept plan is currently out for public comment before a masterplan and business case are developed. Council will then shop around to the state government and private developers for investment.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the support from the public and state government was strong.
“There is a growing appetite to see Gosford reach its potential by connecting the waterfront to the city, activating the city’s education and health opportunities and amenities, and creating a place for people on the Central Coast,” he said.
Funding required: $8.5m to complete the masterplan and feasibility analysis of the project and $325m to get it off the ground.
ROAD RENEWAL
The condition of Central Coast roads has been a hot topic following ongoing floods across the region contributing the deterioration of many local roads.
Pot holes are an ongoing source of frustration for local residents.
Council says that its “Road Renewal” enabling project would complement its existing Road Renewal Program.
“Its aim is to improve the condition of the local road network,” the report states.
“Renewal works are based on preferred treatments taking into consideration the current road condition and life-cycle costs associated with any proposed treatment. This project will maintain and improve the condition of the road network by undertaking works such as heavy patching; pavement rehabilitation; resurfacing.”
Funding required: $12m over four years.
TUGGERAWONG SHARED PATHWAY
Council is looking for funding to complete the final stages of this long-awaited project.
The project, driven by the local community over many years, includes design and construction of a shared pathway extending from Palmer Street to Don Small Oval.
The idea is to increase connectivity for the region, improve access to local services and help complete the loop around Tuggerah Lakes.
The final stage includes a two-year time frame for consultation and design of the final stage before moving into construction of the shared pathway
Funding required: $5.1m.
ESPLANADE BOARDWALK, THE ENTRANCE
Terrigal has one so why not The Entrance.
Council has a vision for an Esplanade Boardwalk within The Entrance CBD with hopes of attracting funding to produce detailed designs.
“The project will produce the required detailed design and construction documentation to tender for works to deliver an upgraded pedestrian connection between The Entrance Surf Club and Picnic Point,” the report states.
“The Coastal Boardwalk is already a popular piece of infrastructure in The Entrance. During the Health Crisis of 2020, the boardwalk provided a place to walk and enjoy the view during the lockdown.
“The opportunity presents itself now to provide a destination level walk that is fully accessible with magnificent views and strong connections to the beach and channel.”
This project has been described as a “catalyst” for the redevelopment of The Entrance CBD with a view to help cement the area as a tourism destination.
Funding required: $500,000.
LAKE MUNMORAH RECREATION FACILITY
Construction of this project was put on hold when the council fell into financial crisis.
Council is hoping to recommence and start construction in 2023, continuing the aim of improving recreational assets in the north.
Plans include a concrete skatepark and pump track, access path, play equipment, shade structures and furniture as well as landscaping and amenities.
The plan is to start the project in July 2023 with the view for completion in June 2025.
Funding required: $2.4m.
COLONGRA SPORTING COMPLEX
Another victim of council’s 2020 financial crisis was the Colongra Sporting Complex which was also put on hold after initial site works were completed between 2018-2020.
The project has reappeared in this list with a view to finish what the council started with the aim to build a multi-use sporting facility with the ability to hold regional events.
Plans include two turf, sporting fields, three netball courts, carpark, amenities building, playspace and a skatepark.
The council has indicated that detailed civil designs were finalised in 2020/21 with the aim of recommencing the project as early as February 2023.
The project completion date has been flagged for June 2025.
Funding required: Total of $8,375,000 for completion.
WISEMANS FERRY ROAD UPGRADE
The council highlights the importance of maintaining this road which is the main access point to remote communities of Spencer, Lower Mangrove and Gunderman.
“Apart from the Hawkesbury River Bridge the M1 Pacific Motorway and the adjacent Pacific Highway Bridge, the Wisemans Ferry Road ferry crossing is the only other crossing point on the Hawkesbury River for vehicles,” the report states.
“It also attracts tourists with a rich convict and colonial heritage along this scenic route through the hinterland of the Central Coast as well as visitors to the adjacent Dharug and Yengo National Parks.”
As a result of storms and flooding, Wisemans Ferry Rd has sustained significant damage to the road pavement and embankments with landslides and rockfalls.
Improvement works would include bank stabilisation, drainage improvements, pavement widening and carriage construction.
Funding required: $10m for the full restoration.
WARNERVALE BUSINESS PRECINCT
Another long-awaited project is Warnervale Business Precinct which has a long history and ongoing promise of thousands of jobs.
The subject 25ha site is 600m southwest of Warnervale Railway Station and zoned as Business Park.
The concept design proposes community, leisure and aquatic centres, large box retail, supermarket, employment lands (regional agribusiness and activities of local produce), plaza, and associated carparking.
Council has previously predicted that the precinct would create more than 7000 jobs including 3367 direct full-time positions.
The project would be staged over 10 years and is construction ready pending the availability of funding.
Funding required: $58m over 10 years.
CENTRAL COAST AIRPORT
A renewed masterplan of the Central Coast Airport is currently underway by the council with plans to turn the airport into the “Central Coast Aviation Hub (CCAH) at Warnervale”.
Council’s aim is to have an “airport designed specifically to support the general aviation
sector in NSW”.
“The CCAH will provide an integrated aviation, manufacturing, research and education precinct that encompasses the Central Coast Airport and surrounding lands compatibly zoned to complement the primary aviation usage,” the report states.
The view is for the airport to compliment and link to other northern projects such as Warnervale Business Precinct, Warnervale Town Centre and Wyong Employment Zone.
The airport is another project with a long and colourful history, from objections to jet aircraft overhead, failed contracts and disagreements between the aero club and council over tree lines.
Council says the airport project will run for 10-15 years with funding needed for various actions including biodiversity certification and airport infrastructure upgrades including a new weather station, wider runway and new taxiways and aprons.
Funding required: $20m.
TUGGERAH LAKES ESTUARY MANAGEMENT
The management of Tuggerah Lakes has been a source of community criticism when it comes to the health along with flood management in and around the Lakes.
Council’s report states funds are needed to stay on top of ongoing projects to improve the ecological health and recreational amenity of Tuggerah Lakes.
“These projects include stormwater quality improvement, rural and urban stream restoration, wetland restoration, foreshore improvements, wrack collection, entrance management, recreational upgrades and community education and engagement,” council states.
“These projects have resulted in an overall improvement in water quality, however in many places this still falls short of community expectations.
“This important work must continue at scale in order to offset future development impacts, meet the community’s vision for the estuary and protect it into the future.”
The report states that while the Lakes have benefited from investment, it would be at “significant risk” if this did not continue.
The council has identified priority actions over the next four years such as enhanced wrack and algae collection, priority wetland and foreshore restoration works and stormwater management.
Required funding – $4m with hopes of another $4m to come via an Australian Government Grant.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AUGMENTATION
GWANDALAN
Council is seeking funding for construction of major capital upgrades to Gwandalan Sewage Treatment Plant (GWSTP) to double the capacity of the plant and improve final effluent quality.
“The site contributes to ongoing breaches of the Environmental Protection Licence for the Toukley Sewerage Scheme that discharges treated effluent via the Norah Head Ocean Outfall.
“Ongoing development within the catchments including greenfield subdivision sites is forecast to increase the connected population by up to 55% over the next 15 year. This will put further pressure on the STPs ability to meet EPL requirements.”
Council says the upgrades would meet capacity requirements and improve the quality of treated effluent discharged from the plant.
“Council also seeks to further treat a portion of the final effluent to produce high-quality recycled water for beneficial reuse such as irrigation of sporting fields,” the report stated.
Funding required: $18.1m
BATEAU BAY
It’s a similar story at Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant where major upgrades are required to enhance treatment capacity, mitigate odours and improve final effluent quality.
“The site faces challenges in meeting requirements under its Environmental Protection Licence and has been subject to previous breaches of the Licence,” council’s report states.
“Infill development within the catchment is forecast to increase the connected population by up to 20 per cent over the next 15 years.”
Council stated that seasonal tourism also placed further pressure on the plant’s ability to meet requirements and manage odour emissions.
Funding required: $12.5m
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