Central Coast Counil decisions from November 12 meeting

Housing our growing population, future development and the ongoing saga of the Winney Bay Clifftop walk among items on the agenda at last night’s Central Coast Council meeting. Here’s the decisions in a nutshell.

Cetnral Coast Council met last night.

Central Coast Council met last night.

The Central Coast could become a specialist destination for people with diabilities.

1. Unique destination

The Central coast could become a go to destination for people with disabilities under a new plan for specially designed areas. Central Coast Council is developing inclusive “disability precincts” to improve lifestyle choice, boost tourism and provide economic stimulus. A detailed analysis is underway to identify two locations suitable disability ‘destinations where accessible, inclusive events and activities will be a feature.

The Central Coast is on track to meet its future housing targets. Picture: AAP / Troy Snook

2. Housing targets

Central Coast Council says it is on track to meet it’s annual housing target to provide for future growth. A report tabled at this week’s council meeting said council had approved 843 development applications from July to September this year out of 857 received. This included 287 extra residential lots and 241 new dwellings. According to the Central Coast Regional Plan, the region will need 41,500 new homes by 2036 to house an expected population increase of more than 75,000.

A series of public meetings will be held on a new strategy for areas along the Central Coast Highway.

3. Feedback sought

Community feedback will be sought on a draft strategy to support sustainable growth along the Central Coast Highway between Somersby and Erina. The draft Somersby to Erina Corridor Strategy identifies Somersby, Mount Penang/Kariong, West Gosford, Gosford City Centre, East Gosford/Point Frederick and Erina as key centres which will play a unique role in the future functioning of the corridor. The Strategy will go on public exhibition for a minimum of 60 days with a number of community consultation workshops and meetings.

a new strategy for Ourimbah will go on public exhibition for 60 days.

4. Ourimbah vision

There will be further public input into Central Coast Council’s plan for the future of Ourimbah. Council will re-exhibit the final draft Ourimbah Land Use Strategy and Masterplan for extra comment before its adopted and put into action. The strategy and masterplan was identified as a key planning projects by the former Wyong Shire. The exhibition period will be for 60 days starting February 2019.

People are sought to sit on a new tourism advisory committee.

5. Tourism plans

Expressions of interest will be invited for people to sit on a new Central Coast Tourism Advisory Committee. The committee will providing advice to Central Coast Council on the region’s destination planning and improve collaboration with tourism funding bodies, including Destination New South Wales.

Work on the Winney Bay walking track has stopped pending further community feedback. Picture: AAP / Troy Snook.

6. Walk work

Progress on the Winney Bay Clifftop walk has stalled after Central Coast Council resolved to not proceed with any contract of works until there had been another site visit and further review of community feedback. The draft concept plans for the $4.6 million state government funded project were recently re-exhibited publicly. A report is due to Council before the end of the year with recommendations that will consider the community feedback. Council continues to liaise with the State Government funding body about the project.