NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian talks planning, fast rail and pre-election

AN ‘ad hoc’ approach to planning across the Central Coast in the past was a factor in the State Government taking control of Gosford. The NSW Premier sat down with the Express Advocate for an exclusive interview.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian visits Erina Fair with Terrigal state Liberal MP Adam Crouch. Picture: Sue Graham

AN ‘ad hoc’ approach to planning across the Central Coast in the past was a factor in the State Government taking control of the Gosford redevelopment.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said when it came to planning, it is important to look at the coast as a whole.

“I think that hasn’t been done before and it’s been quite ad hoc,” she said.

“We don’t like that ad hoc approach. We want there to be a specific plan. It’s about us making sure we are building up our town centres and creating jobs. It’s important to get planning right.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian sat down for an exclusive interview with Express Advocate journalist Fiona Killman. Picture: Sue Graham

During a visit to the coast last week, Ms Berejiklian gave an exclusive interview to the Express Advocate to discuss planning, fast rail, palliative care and the upcoming election.

“I think the biggest opportunities for us are creating local jobs, reducing travel times, improving roads and transport but also making sure health and education are at the top of mind,” she said.

She said development hold ups by local councils can be frustrating.

“Sometimes it gets frustrating when things are held up and we just like to look at things to make sure that not only are we delivering things on the ground and we’ve got the bigger plan in place.

Outside view of Gosford Hospitals new 11 storey tower.

“Having said that it’s really important make sure you bring the community and you listen and you don’t do things too quickly and in a way which makes people feel uncomfortable.”

Ms Berejiklian said the coast has enormous potential with the university, expansion of health services and development.

“A lot of people are getting confident and renovating and building,” she said. “That all creates those jobs for the future and helps a city to grow as well.”

With the election just around the corner, she said she would like to see more local Liberal seats. Terrigal state Liberal MP Adam Crouch is the only state Liberal representative in the region.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian visited Service NSW in Erina to talk up the Cost of Living Service. Picture: Sue Graham

“I’d love to see more of the Central Coast come back to the Liberal party,” she said when asked about the region’s faith in the party.

“I never ever question what people choose to do. However, I hope this time round they have a look at our record to see what we have done, what our vision is for the coast.

“In our record we’ve made a lot of announcements and delivered on them. We said we would build Gosford Hospital. It is up and running. If there’s a major road for upgrading it’s happened. We’re a government that does what it says. If people say to me, ‘you haven’t made a promise about such and such’ I’ll say ‘when we are ready to we will’. When you make a commitment, you are going to do it. That’s really important to me.”

Premier doubles down on fast rail

FAST rail plans for the Central Coast is a reality, according to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

In December, Ms Berejiklian announced that $4.6 million would be spent planning a high-speed train network with routes from Newcastle to Sydney, Goulburn to Canberra, Lithgow to Parkes and Wollongong to Sydney.

The daily commute from Gosford to Sydney could be slashed by almost an hour to just 30 minutes.

An artist impression shows 3D renderings of a newly proposed high speed rail system at Gosford Station.

Ms Berejiklian said the latest plan was different to previous studies and promises.

“We’ve never, ever looked at the issue for just NSW before,” she said.

“We’ve always had to rely on a Federal Government report or having to involve Queensland and Victoria.

“I don’t want to wait for every other federal or state government to get their act together.”

She said the fast rail network planning would start in the next term of government.

“In the mean time we can get faster rail,” she said. “We can improve travel time significantly by improving systems and getting rid of some of the bends.”