Peninsula Community Access Edition 250
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11 October 2010
New bus will run to Gosford Hospital Buses will run more frequently and into the night and a new service to Gosford Hospital will be introduced from November 8. They are among the changes to the Central Coast bus network announced by the State Government recently. Bus services to and from Umina will have improved frequencies and hours of operation. The daytime service between the Peninsula and Gosford Hospital will run every 60 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays and 120 minutes on Sundays. Across the network an additional
41 buses will be provided to Central Coast bus commuters increasing the entire region’s fleet by 20 per cent, according to NSW Premier Ms Kristina Keneally. Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews said the announcement was a significant boost for the region. “The new seven-day a week bus service between the Woy Woy Peninsula and Gosford Hospital is a great win for the local community,” Ms Andrews said. “Passengers will also benefit from the flexibility of the new services that will not only run more frequently, but also until late at night.”
Minister for Transport and Minister for the Central Coast Mr John Robertson said the new network followed extensive public consultation with the local community. “More than 1400 submissions were received from local residents and public transport users about the proposed changes,” Mr Robertson said. “We have listened to the feedback from the community and the final network announced today has incorporated many of the requests made during the consultation process.” Press release, 1 Oct 2010 Kristina Keneally, NSW Premier
Council investigates business idea Gosford Council has resolved to investigate the formation of a Peninsula Master Planning Committee with key stakeholders, business leaders and property owners to ensure the revitalisation of the three Peninsula town centres. A notice of motion was put forward by Cr Jim Macfadyen at a council meeting on October 5. The proposal comes after the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce called for council to form a special committee to secure the economic sustainability of Woy Woy, Umina and Ettalong town centres. “It has come to my attention that the poor economic conditions prevailing particularly in the Woy Woy CBD are such that urgent action by council would be prudent with the view to investigating ways that council, the
Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, business leaders and property owners can stimulate economic activity,” Cr Macfadyen said. “The timing for such action is opportune especially as the draft Gosford LEP 2009 and accompanying development controls are being reviewed. “These controls include specific planning and design recommendations for the Peninsula town centres of Woy Woy, Umina Beach and Ettalong Beach. “It is noted that Chapter 4.2 – Peninsula Centres especially deals (in part) with the Umina Village Expansion Area – Structure Plan which resulted from consultation with the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce several years ago. “Similar consultations should be held as part of the master planning process for the Woy Woy CBD. “The Peninsula Master Planning Committee could consist of
senior council technical staff, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, business leaders and key property owners with the view to working collaboratively with these groups. “Its aim should be to address the strategic economic issues facing the Peninsula generally and, more specifically for the Woy Woy CBD, ways to stimulate activity and promote connections between Deepwater Plaza, the traditional town centre and the Woy Woy waterfront.” Cr Macfadyen said considerable focus had been set on Gosford CBD in recent times. “It would be prudent of council to now direct planning and economic resources to the Peninsula such that the Peninsula town centres have similar growth opportunities to that of Gosford,” Cr Macfadyen said. Council agenda NM.19, 5 Oct 2010
Man in court after police blitz A 22-year-old P-plate driver is due to appear in Woy Woy Local Court next month after allegedly returning a breath test reading of 0.170 after being stopped by Gosford police in Umina over the October long weekend. NSW Police ran Operation Slowdown from midnight on October 1 until midnight on October 4 with double demerit points in
effect for speeding and seatbelt offences. Brisbane Water Police charged the Woy Woy Bay driver and suspended his licence after being stopped in his 1996 Toyota Lexcen at around 12.15am on October 2. A licence check revealed the 22-year-old drivers’ licence was suspended due to an earlier offence, and he had two passengers in the vehicle. The man is due to appear in Woy
Woy Local Court on November 16. Brisbane Water Highway Patrol officers detected 22 unregistered and uninsured vehicles in the Woy Woy and Umina area. The vehicles were detected in the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol’s mobile automated number plate recognition vehicle on October 2. Website, 5 Oct 2010 NSW Police Media
The banner poles already in place along West St, Umina, with a similar design expected to be used in Ettalong and Woy Woy CBDs
Council to liaise on banner poles Gosford Council will liaise with both the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Ettalong Beach Business Group about the location banner poles in Ettalong and Woy Woy town centres. Council has also resolved to meet with the two groups and gain their commitment to provide banners once the new poles are installed. Last December, a disagreement occurred between the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Umina District Chamber of Commerce over what banners would feature in West St, Umina. In the end, Umina Chamber erected its banners in West St in conjunction with the inaugural Umina Festival and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce flew its banners at Ettalong. Funding for the project costing $70,000 will come from funds remaining from the Financial Strategy levied in the two CBDs, according to a council report. The issue of having additional banner poles erected in Ettalong and Woy Woy came from a
question without notice from Cr Jeff Strickson earlier this year. Cr Strickson questioned the feasibility of having additional banner poles installed on the Peninsula for Christmas time this year to ensure all Chambers of Commerce could have their respective banner flown. Council will now look to trial a combination of banner poles, known as Bannerconda and Bannerjib systems, in Ettalong and Woy Woy in time for Christmas this year. Each pole is expected to cost between $1600 and $2000. “In view of the need to advance this project in time for the erection of banners for Christmas 2010, and assuming council wishes to proceed with this trial project as recommended, options for the placement of banners could be discussed with the relevant business community groups in Ettalong Beach and Woy Woy and subject to agreement being reached, the work proceed,” a council report stated. Council agenda CIT.47, 5 Oct 2010
THIS ISSUE contains 51 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info