Central Coast emerging as a remote, hybrid worker “paradise”

The pandemic has turned the Central Coast into a paradise for remote and hybrid workers, according to a new report. But it’s what we do next that will make or break the region.

The Central Coast is emerging as a paradise for remote and hybrid workers, according to a new report.

Australian professional services firm RSM has released its 2030 Big Picture Series, looking at thriving regional areas and investigating their opportunities and challenges leading to 2030.

The Central Coast report reveals the region’s point of difference as a current and future haven for the increasing numbers of hybrid and remote workers. It states that the laid-back lifestyle and proximity of the Central Coast is enticing more people to base themselves here and work from home.

RSM Gosford Director Matthew Moore.

However the success of the coast maintaining the remote worker “paradise” status will be dependent on improved local infrastructure and development of greenfield sites.

Findings of the report, backed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), show that the number of people working from home in the region increased from 32 per cent in 2019 to 41 per cent in 2021.

“Located between NSW’s two most populated cities, Sydney and Newcastle, the Central Coast is perfectly placed to reap the benefits of a changing employment landscape,” it stated.

RSM’s Gosford director Matthew Moore said an extra 70,000 people are expected to be living on the coast by 2036, which would take the region’s total population to 415,000 people.

The population of the coast is expected to hit 415,000 by 2036.

The coast is emerging as a haven for hybrid and remote workers.

He said the working from home hybrid model suited professional people who are making the decision to move away from the city. He said the coast was best placed between Newcastle and Sydney to cater for people keen for a lifestyle change close to water.

Mr Moore said the value of some coast properties had risen by half a million dollars in the 12 months to May 2021 due to the region’s popularity with people escaping Sydney.

“Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central Coast estimates that an average of 1980 new homes will be needed each year over the next 20 years to meet demand,” he said.

“This is much higher than the current average annual housing production and represents a strong investment opportunity.’”

Mr Moore said the council needs to support development. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

He said the major risk for the region is if things don’t keep improving and developing off the back of the Central Coast Council crisis.

“We need to get it right with the next councillors and get infrastructure happening,” he said.

“If (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet gets his plans right around fast rail and the Federal Government keeps on top of education and health, we will get cranes back up in the air.”

He said while it was unfortunate that there was not much land to release in Gosford, the city can contribute with high rise developments.

“It’s also the immediate and basic infrastructure, traffic lights etc, that needs to be maintained,” he said.

The coast also needs to get the basics right such as lights, road quality etc.

The report says the success of the coast “will depend, to some extent, on the development of key infrastructure, as the lack of investment in this area has held back a number of greenfield and even brownfield developments. With the right infrastructure in place, the Central Coast is poised to take off as a business and industry hotspot close to Sydney.’’

Mr Moore said tourism also remained a key sector for the coast based on its natural beauty and proximity to major hubs.

“While tourism numbers dropped due to COVID-19 restrictions, with the nation opening up, tourist numbers are expected to return to over four million domestic visitors annually,’’ he said.

PROJECTS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN SUCCESS

Westfield Tuggerah redevelopment

The eye-popping $2.8 billion redevelopment of Tuggerah Town Centre was announced by the Scentre Group in 2019.
It was the biggest project ever announced for the Central Coast, a 35-year vision for 5000 new dwellings, a new Westfield shopping precinct, 10,000 jobs and more than 70ha of land harnessed.
On February 28, 2019, former NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts made the multi-billion dollar announcement to transform Westfield Tuggerah and adjoining land into a stunning, ultra-modern lifestyle hub.
The Scentre Group’s plan would include the redevelopment of Westfield Tuggerah, the land surrounding it, and the adjoining land that lies between the shopping centre and the M1 motorway.

The new Tuggerah Town Centre was announced in 2019 by Scentre Group.

The RMS report states that “there are numerous greenfield development areas that, once developed, will create thousands of jobs on the Central Coast. For example, a planned $2.4 billion development by the Centre Group at Tuggerah will include retail and commercial spaces as well as senior living, and will link to the Tuggerah railway station.”

Wyong Employment Zone (WEZ)

The Wyong Employment Zone was also highlight in the RSM report.

“The Central Coast covers a broad geographical area and, to date, government investment has not been sufficient to comprehensively solve infrastructure issues,” it stated.

“For example, the Wyong employment zone is a large piece of land that could create a large number of employment and business opportunities but developing it has proved problematic because infrastructure, water and sewerage need to be connected and this has not yet been done.”

Artist's impression of a proposed industrial warehouses, service station, car wash and fast food outlet as part of the WEZ.

However the Express recently revealed that the long-awaited WEZ could get the kick start it needs under plans for a warehousing centre, servo and fast food outlet along with a 47-lot industrial subdivision.

New trains/fast rail

Fast rail will also contribute to the coast’s success. Picture: Troy Snook

It’s been promised for years but the coast is yet to see any real movement on fast rail.

However, Premier Dominic Perrottet was on the coast earlier this month to announce his vision for overhauling rail travel with $500 million commitment in the upcoming NSW Budget to upgrade the Sydney to Central Coast link.

The plan involve upgrading the Tuggerah-Wyong rail link, with the construction of new electrified tracks, station upgrades, and rail bridges over the Wyong River.

Site investigations will begin at the end of this year.

The RSM report stated that the “Central Coast is overdue to receive new trains that will speed up the rail line, potentially cutting as much as 30 minutes off the trip from Newcastle or Sydney. Every station on the Central Coast will also receive lifts, easy access, and

parking upgrades to make commuting even easier.”

High rise in Gosford

While there is not a lot of land to release in Gosford, high rises will play a part in helping with accommodation supply.

Central Coast Quarter’s first tower to be known as “The Waterfront” has been approved and is almost sold out.

Central Coast Quarter’s The Waterfront tower is almost sold out.

The 25-storey northern tower is one of three towers planned by St Hilliers at 26-30 Mann St. The development is hailed as a “hotel/entertainment destination” to include 295 residential apartments with potential for a 183-room hotel.

There’s also hope for The Archibald development with Sydney developer ALAND buying the Mann St site.

ALAND has revealed they are reviewing the approved plans, which includes a two tower luxury development, with hoped to turn soil this year.

TOURISM

The Central Coast also needs to keep on top of its tourism offerings.

While we have the beaches and natural attractions covered, the coast needs to keep on top of its major plans including the redevelopment of the Old Sydney Town site.

There are plans in the wings to transform the Old Sydney Town site into a multicultural tourism village.

The Express recently revealed that plans to covert the Somersby site into a multicultural tourism village hit a snag with Central Coast Council returning the plans to owners World Cultural Tourism Village (WCTV) for further review.

The RSM report has also identified the potential for partnership opportunities between tourism and agribusiness sectors in the region saying “agritourism presents a significant opportunity for farmers who can create a desirable experience to attract visitors.’’