Gosford Central Community News
July 18, 2011
Your independent local newspaper
Unionists storm the Bastille in Gosford
Local trade union and community members rallied in Gosford on Bastille Day, Thursday, July 14, to protest against the NSW Government’s public sector workplace laws which takes away the workplace rights of teachers, nurses, firefighters, prison officers and other public sector workers. For the full story and pictures, see Page 7
Speculation on new airport nformal discussions in regards to speculation that a second Sydney Airport may be located on the Central Coast were raised at the Central Coast Regional Organisation of Councils (CCROC) Meeting on Thursday, June 30.
I
This follows the Federal Government recently commissioning a joint study with the State Government into Sydney’s airport needs and related transport matters. The committee responsible for carrying out this joint study is chaired by both the Head of the Infrastructure and Transport Department Mr Mike Mrdak and Mr Sam Haddad from the NSW Planning Department and are preparing a report for both governments, to be completed in the second half of the year. These reports will contain
a series of economic models that outline Sydney’s transport needs. Gosford Council’s general manager Mr Peter Wilson said that both the State and Federal Governments will review the report before any possible locations are put forward. “This is an extensive process and a number of options are being investigated, including the Central Coast, all of which will be reviewed by both governments in an effort to find the most suitable site. “We need to wait for the recommendations of this report which will be
available later this year before we begin jumping to any conclusions. “While Council has no direct involvement in this investigation we are more than happy to provide information or assistance for the joint study if requested. “ F o l l o w i n g recommendations coming from the report, we are also open to being engaged by the Federal and State Governments to discuss this issue,” said Mr Wilson. Media Release, 1 Jul 2011 Gosford Council Media
-
Ph: 4325 7369
Issue 012
Council agrees to memorandum t the reconvened council meeting of Tuesday July 12, Gosford Council unanimously agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation (CCRDC).
A
The Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates the ongoing commitment between Council and the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation to provide a co-operative and integrated approach to the planning and development of the Gosford City Centre. The NSW Government’s Department of Lands and Central Coast Regional Development Corporation have partnered with Council to develop Our City, Our Destiny-Gosford City centre Masterplan, to revitalise the Gosford City Centre so that it can truly live up to its iconic status as the Capital of the Central Coast. The Memorandum of Understanding reflects both parties’ commitment to facilitate the process. It outlines the role of both parties in their contribution to revitalising the City Centre and enhancing the social fabric and economic health of the local region. According to Council, the intention of both parties is
to ensure that the Gosford City Centre is developed in a manner that is consistent with the goals and aspirations of the Gosford City Centre Masterplan and both parties will work cooperatively to promote an open and consultative approach to moving the City Centre forward. Both parties have agreed to ensure that the Gosford City Centre is developed in a manner that is consistent with the goals and aspirations of the Gosford City Centre Masterplan, complements the overall planning framework for the city, promotes and positions Gosford City Centre as a place to invest in, live in, do business, study and as a first choice place for employment, deliver a sustainable economic and management framework and make the centre attractive to the property development sector and as a place to invest. The parties each have specific responsibilities under respective NSW
legislation and through various other obligations. Central Coast Regional Development Corporation is responsible under the Growth Centres Act for promoting, coordinating, managing and securing the orderly economic development of Gosford and Wyong and Council has a range of responsibilities under the Local Government Act 1993 for development and sustainable management on behalf of the Gosford community and the State of NSW. The Gosford City Centre Plan identifies the potential of the waterfront for tourism, passive recreation and notes that “a challenge…will be to preserve essential harbour activities…while opening up the harbour to a wider range of uses for recreation, tourism, retail-café and community purposes.” Email, 12 Jul 2011 Gosford Council Media Council Agenda GEN.11, 12 Jul 2011
Development association backs airport proposal egional Development Australia Central Coast NSW has announced it is eager to see a Central Coast site, considered as part of a study into the need for a second Sydney airport.
R
“Regional Development Australia Central Coast is aware of this joint study being undertaken between the Federal Government and NSW Government, and welcome the opportunity to engage with Government representatives to advance the possibility of a Central Coast based international airport,” said Regional Development Australia Central Coast chair Mr John Dawson. Mr Dawson said the Regional Strategy for the Central Coast predicts job growth requirements of 45,000 over the next 25 years to service expected population growth,
and an airport creating approximately 6000 jobs would make a large dent in this target. “The positive impacts would be enormous in terms of the economy, jobs and tourism,” he said. “Regional Development Australia Central Coast expects that the assessment process will involve an in-depth analysis of the economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts before any final decision is taken. “For Sydney’s second airport to operate successfully on the Central Coast it would require a very fast train connection,
another significant infrastructure investment, which would not only be a boon for Central Coast commuters, but have the potential to energise centre developments such as Warnervale, Gosford City and waterfront, and Mt Penang. “Regional Development Australia Central Coast looks forward to the findings of the study being announced in the near future,” said Mr Dawson. Media Release, 8 Jul 2011 John Dawson, Regional Development Australia Central Coast