Two Directors to leave Central Coast Council on November 26 – see

Tourism plan aims for ‘compelling visitor experiences’

Council has resolved to place the Central Coast Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2022-25 on public exhibition following the successful delivery of over 85 per cent of the actions from the 2018-21 plan.

Key deliverables include achieving a record breaking $1B in tourism expenditure in 2019, surpassing the target to achieve $921M by 2021, and completing feasibility studies for kayaking and canoeing, the RV market and Eco and Rural tourism opportunities which are informing the new DMP 2022-25.

Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director, Natalia Cowley, said the new DMP aims to create a thriving, connected and supported industry with compelling visitor experiences from headland to hinterland.

“The DMP has been developed over a four-month period in collaboration with Destination NSW, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services, Forestry Corporation of NSW, industry groups and local businesses.

“Strategic focuses include generating sustainable visitation patterns by increasing visitor dispersal and growing off-peak visitation, growing visitor yield, continuing to promote a cohesive and recognised brand, creating high quality amenity for residents and visitors, and empowering a unified, connected and supported tourism industry.”

Investigating the designation of a Central Coast beach as a World Surfing Reserve is one of the plan’s ideas along with the development of “iconic walks”, particularly additional coastal walks in the North Coast and hinterland walks.

Council said it plans for the continued investment in National and State Parks infrastructure and will investigate multi day walking experiences linking to Sydney.

It also proposes support for the development of authorised mountain bike trail opportunities and seeking opportunities for mapping and promoting authorised mountain bike trails across the Central Coast.

Other ideas include:

• Development of visitor ready

food experiences in the hinterland, including paddock to plate restaurants, farmgate experiences and dining located in nature based settings. • Development of “hero food experiences” that capitalise on unique offerings such as oysters. • Support development of new aboriginal products and experiences in the region. • Foster creative and performing arts through theatres, galleries and creative spaces, by integrating art and performance into public life. • Investigate opportunities for art and sculpture interventions throughout

Central Coast including lighting installations in entertainment precincts. • Develop a range of foodie events that capitalise on the region’s local produce strengths and help to brand the region. • Prioritise development of infrastructure at outdoor event locations that leverage the natural environment and can become hero venues for the Central Coast.

Director Natalia Cowley said the targets of the new DMP were a 10 per cent growth in overnight visitors to the Central Coast by 2025 with a 15 per cent increase in visitor expenditure and a 20 per cent increase in visitation to Central Coast Hinterland by 2025.

Administrator Rik Hart said it was imperative “we create jobs on the Coast”.

He said the draft is a good piece of work and he looks forward to comments from the public..

Hart said timing could not be better for the renewal of the plan.

“Updating the region’s strategic priorities such as increasing visitor yield, encouraging visitation dispersal and enabling tourism product development sets a clear roadmap for recovery with a commitment from Council to support the sustainable growth of this important economic and employment sectors for the region.

“It is important to note all of the actions within the draft DMP are the responsibility of Council to carry out.

“Implementation is shared with some projects also dependent on securing investment and grant funding.

“Council facilitates the delivery of tourism marketing and management in the region through planning and coordinated actions in collaboration with the tourism industry, tourism funding bodies and other regional stakeholders.

“Council also supports the Central Coast visitor economy year-round through economic development, events, town planning and visitor information services activities.

“The DMP also acts as a supporting document for Council and local operators to apply for any Destination NSW and many Commonwealth Government funding including funding for marketing activities, tourism product, infrastructure and experience development,” Hart said.

The draft Destination Management Plan 2022-25 will be on public exhibition for 28 days from November 25 until December 22.

Have Your Say at yourvoiceourcoast.com.

More information on deliverables achieved from the Central Coast Destination Management Plan 2018-21 can be found in the agenda papers from the Council Meeting held on November 23.

Source: Media release, Nov 23 Central Coast Council

Not-for-profit organisation Social Futures, with offices in Gosford and Wyong, has introduced a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for all staff in NSW.

Social Futures delivers more than 20 community support programs across two states.

CEO, Tony Davies, said as a leading regional community service organisation, Social

Not-for-profit introduces vaccine policy

Futures needed to act to protect the health and wellbeing of employees and program participants.

“Throughout the pandemic we have served individuals and communities facing challenges, and Social Futures will keep doing that,” Davies said.

“As COVID-19 cases were recorded around NSW and Queensland, we continued to seek housing for people who found themselves homeless, support youth and families, people facing mental health and financial difficulties, and help other individuals find new employment opportunities.

“Based on the level of risk associated with our services (frontline delivery of programs and outreach to those in need) and the vulnerability of our customers and staff, Social Futures has developed a vaccination policy to minimise risk.

“Along with requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all staff, we will continue to apply other risk mitigation strategies, such as the use of QR codes for people entering our buildings and mask wearing when social distancing is not possible.”

Davies said it was vital that all Social Futures staff, volunteers, contractors and students were protected from the virus, as many were in the field with community members.

“They are face-to-face with vulnerable people, many of whom could become very unwell if they contracted COVID-19,” he said.

“Regional not-for-profit organisations like Social Futures have a duty to ensure that our workplaces are as safe as possible and act as an example to other regional employers.

“We’re safeguarding the health of staff, participants and the broader community.

“Vaccines save lives.”

Source: Media release, Nov 25 Social Futures

More than a dozen submissions of objection have been received to a proposed boarding house at 23 Ash St Terrigal, with traffic, security, and privacy issues highlighted as major concerns.

The proposed boarding house would comprise 10 rooms catering for up to 13 boarders with five carparking spaces, including one disabled, two motorbike spaces and two push-bike spaces to be provided on site.

There would also be a communal room with associated outdoor recreation space.

A Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) lodged with the application says the original character of modest holiday cottages in the area is changing rapidly, with apartment and townhouse developments springing up nearby.

The SEE says the boarding house is not intended to provide specialist or support housing for persons with a mental illness or physical disability, persons on a very low-income level such as the homeless or particular community groups.

Terrigal residents oppose boarding house

Rather it is intended to provide affordable housing for key workers and low-income earners, front line workers, older people and young workers and students, the SEE says.

But residents have expressed strong concerns about a likely increase in anti-social behaviour, a decrease in privacy – due to overshadowing and increased visibility over neighbouring properties – an increase in noise pollution and an increase in parking and traffic congestion in a street which is already congested and has limited parking available.

The development could also see a decrease in property values and rental capacity in nearby homes, they say.

Shardai Jimenez‘s family has owned a home near the proposed development site for more than 25 years.

“We ultimately believe that the development does not fit the overall character of the local area,” she said.

“The DA proposes a boarding home, in one of the most expensive suburbs on the Central Coast and where there is limited public transport, employment prospects and social/support services available to those in need.

“There are no provisions stopping the developer from turning this development into a hostel or temporary holiday accommodation upon approval; we saw a similar situation with the DA for a boarding home at Wamberal.

“Our experience with shortterm/holiday accommodation in the past is an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Parking and traffic congestion is already extremely challenging on Ash St for residents.

“We are concerned that if approved, this development will only further complicate the traffic and parking situation.”

Jimenez said allegations that objectors have no care for those in need are baseless and has encouraged residents to review the application in-line with community concerns.

Fellow resident Jan Robinson said the proposal was totally out of character for the area.

“One of the biggest issues is car parking,” she said.

“With 10 rooms proposed to accommodate up to 13 people and only five car spaces provided on site, we are concerned this could lead to five or more cars being parked on the street.

“Parking in Ash St and the surrounding streets is always hard to find, especially at holiday time.

“Another concern is that there is to be no on-site manager, with management only contactable from 9am5pm on weekdays, so there will be nobody present to enforce house rules.

“We are concerned this could result in noise impacts and loss of privacy.

“Our street already has some development underway and infrastructure is stretched.

“This proposal is for a tiny block of land.

“I am not allowed to build units on my block, which is the same size, because it is deemed too small.”

Submissions close on December 3 on the Central Coast Council website.

DA63370/2021.

An artist’s impression of the proposed boarding house

Abandoned car policy reviewed

Central Coast Council is reviewing its vehicle impounding process after a car was towed from a Point Clare street and destroyed but has warned that abandoned cars are an issue in the region and could be removed if not parked outside their registered address.

A spokesperson said Council received 1,817 reports of abandoned vehicles last year alone, of which 200 were impounded.

“Vehicles parked for an extended period at a location not in the immediate vicinity of the registered owner’s address may be reported as abandoned,” the spokesperson said.

“This includes boats, caravans, and trailers.”

The spokesperson said in August Council received several complaints from residents reporting a suspected abandoned vehicle that had been parked in a street at Point Clare since June.

“Council officers conducted door knocking in the street, which failed to locate the owner,” Council said.

“If a vehicle is parked outside the registered address it may not be considered abandoned.

“This vehicle was not parked in the registered owner’s street at North Avoca nor in the street where her daughter lived at Point Clare.

“A baby car seat or other reported possessions were not visible from outside of the locked vehicle.

“Following a two-week period from when the vehicle had a notification sticker (placed on it) and with no contact from the owner, a letter was sent to the owner to advise that the vehicle would be towed and destroyed in accordance with the NSW Impounding Act 1993.

“Council engaged a private local service provider to undertake removal and disposal of the car in accordance with legislation.

“In response to representations made by the owner of the vehicle, Council commenced discussions with the vehicle owner in early September.

“Council continues to work with the owner to ensure a reasonable outcome.

“As this is a legal matter, Council declines to provide further details at this time.

“Despite Council undertaking the process lawfully within the legislation, Council apologies to the car owner that adequate notice wasn’t provided by letter to the registered address.”

The spokesperson said Council had since commenced a review of the vehicle impounding process to ensure additional criteria (above and beyond the legislation) is considered before an abandoned vehicle is impounded and/or destroyed.

“Under the Impounding Act 1993, three days’ notice is required to the registered owner by way of letter; however Council is now changing its operational process to extend beyond what is legislatively required to provide 14 days’ notice … and will not destroy vehicles with current registration.

“Council will soon provide updated information for the community on its website and some helpful resources about legal parking on public or Council-owned land, and the process undertaken to manage reported abandoned vehicles.”

Terry Collins

Source: Media release, Nov 18 Central Coast Council

New law for shopping trolleys, dumped cars and straying pets

Abandoned shopping trolleys have long been a major problem on the Central Coast, with reports of impacts on public streets, parks and waterways pouring in from all over the region in recent months.

Residents will no doubt welcome the introduction of a new Bill in State Parliament which, if passed, will see owners and others made responsible for private property left in public facing harsh penalties if they don’t remove them within risk-based timeframes.

Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, said the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 would finally hold owners responsible.

“These tough new laws provide councils, other public land managers and police with stronger powers and penalties to rid our footpaths, streets, parks, bushland and waterways of abandoned and unattended property,” Hancock said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the value of our public spaces to communities across the state and these future-focused laws will ensure they are safe, accessible and enjoyable for generations to come.”

The new laws apply not just to shopping trolleys, but also to items such as unregistered and abandoned cars, unattended trailers and stray stock.

“We are sending a clear message to owners and those responsible for items and animals left in public places - if they don’t do the right thing, they face on-the-spot fines, higher court penalties, rapid seizure action and enforcement orders,” Hancock said.

“This real and meaningful change will help address the perennial problem of abandoned and unattended shopping trolleys, which are a nuisance and blight on our public spaces not to mention a safety risk.”

The new laws also demand owners take quick action to remove unregistered, abandoned and unattended cars and trailers causing problems in residential streets, particularly in urban areas where parking is scarce.

In rural communities, stronger powers and penalties will help prevent stray stock wandering onto roads and causing tragic accidents.

The strong stance is expected to save NSW councils and communities more than $10M a year in clean-up costs.

“These new laws resolve key concerns our communities have been raising for years and years,” Hancock said.

Under the new laws supermarkets would face an on-the-spot fine of $660 for failing to collect a shopping trolley from a public place within three hours of being notified it is causing an obstruction or safety risk, or withing four days of being given notice if left unattended for seven days or more in a public place.

A further 10 per cent ($66) would be added to the fine for each additional trolley in the same spot (up to 11 in total).

Individual retailers would face a court-imposed penalty of up to $2,750 and a maximum of $13,750 for corporations for more serious offences.

Exemptions would apply for small businesses with less than 25 trolleys.

Owners of unregistered vehicles including cars, boat trailers and caravans left in public places would face an on-the-spot fine of $660, a court penalty of up to $2,750, and/or have their vehicle impounded.

Owners of animals (other than cats and dogs) who have acted negligently would face an on-the-spot fine of $660 for an animal that gets out and strays on neighbours’ properties or onto public roads or places with fine increases for multiple animals.

Abandoned trolleys in Brisbane Water Drive, Point Clare

Terry Collins

Grant will give 101 year old memorial hall a lift

The historic Wamberal Hall is set for some striking additions thanks to a $6,700 grant from the Federal Government’s Saluting their Service funding program.

Officially designated as a war memorial, the hall was built following World War I to commemorate lives lost during the Great War.

It was opened on January 1, 1920, by parliamentarian and King’s Counsel, EJ Loxton.

Terrigal-Wamberal RSL SubBranch Vice President, Peter White, said the funds would be used for some long called for modifications.

“There are a few honour rolls inside the hall indicating people from the district who served, but not much else,” White said.

“One of the things we do have is three sandstone blocks, which have the names of service personnel engraved on them.

“For a time we thought they were lost, only to discover they had been at the property of a neighbour for safekeeping.

“When we became aware of that, we decided we would like to display them more prominently.

“They will be mounted into some form of concrete memorial and placed at the rear of the hall, with a bench facing them, as a more formal memorial.

“Mounting them in concrete will make sure they don’t weather away and we will also be putting some form of protective coating on them.”

White said the money would also be used to install a metal honour board which will tell the story of the stones and of the hall itself.

“Hopefully when people use the hall they’ll know a little bit more about its history,” he said.

“Building a memorial hall was a common thing for communities to do post World War I to recognise how they had been affected.”

With the hall having celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, White said improvements were timely and he hoped they would be completed some time early next year.

“We had applied earlier for funding under a different program to get the work done but were refused so this grant is very welcome,” he said.

Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said the Coast was proud of its military history, its local veterans and the families who had supported them.

“It’s important that the service and sacrifice of our local veterans is recognised and remembered through these community initiatives,” she said.

Wicks said the Umina Community Group had also received a $5,112 grant to install interpretive signage at Runway Park in Woy Woy to explain the history of the area as an emergency aerodrome during the Second World War.

Terry Collins

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