Ourimbah Masterplan comes to Central Council Council for approval

A masterplan for Ourimbah sees a new ‘main street’, public square and more pedestrian and cycleway links. See what else is planned in the suburb’s future.

A new main street, public square and more pedestrian and cycle links are planned throughout Ourimbah.

The Ourimbah Area Strategy and Centre Masterplan is set to come to Central Coast Council on Tuesday night for endorsement.

The plan presents council’s vision for Ourimbah’s future and expected growth. It aims to strengthen it’s broader economic future, provide greater housing choice and protect the area’s unique character.

It splits Ourimbah into 12 individual precincts and sets out plans, as well as creating a new Ourimbah centre.

The plans stated that it “reflects the culmination of work undertaken in consultation with key stakeholders, including the local community, between 2014 and 2017”.

Artists impression of proposed main street in Ourimbah.

“It has been prepared to assist with managing the long-term growth and change expected within the strategy area in a manner that strengthens the broader economic future, provides people with greater housing choice, and enhances the local area’s identity as a place that is safe, attractive, busy, and well-connected.”

The plan looks to create a new main street away from the Pacific Highway saying the existing town centre was dominated by the highway and lacked amenity. A new public square close to the train station is also highlighted to help activate the area with food and retail outlets and places to sit.

“The Masterplan seeks to establish a new high-amenity environment which is separated from the highway,” the plan states.

“A new ‘main street’ is proposed by extending Jaques Street northward to create an active and attractive environment which is away from the highway and connected to the station.”

The plan is to make the town centre a place of recreation, history, convenience, and community.

Proposed changes to form a new main street.

There are a number of directions in the strategy including movement and connectivity, which aims to promote more walking through improved local street connections and physical links across the train line. Housing is also a top priority to cater for the growing population.

“Current projections anticipate the area will need to accommodate around 1950 dwellings by 2036 to meet the demands of predicted population growth and change population. This would require at least another 280 dwellings beyond what was available in 2016.”

“New housing in Ourimbah is expected to predominantly comprise a range of dwelling types, from detached dwellings to low-rise apartments.”

The plan focus on key areas such as the train station and University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus.

The plan also addressed hazards such as flooding and bushfires.

The economic development and employment direction will see more commercial space in the centre along with a medium sized supermarket.

Other directions include preserving the character and heritage – and preserving the semirural appeal of the suburb – preparing for hazards such as floods and bushfires and biodiversity.

The themes of walking and cycling connections to and from the centre, railway station, Bill Sohier Park and the University campus are strong throughout the plan, along with providing convenient access and parking.

The Ourimbah Region Residents Association has been speaking up over the masterplan over the years voicing concerns over development in flood prone land and preserving the village and heritage of the suburb.