Where to for the Central Coast?

For those who live here and have a long term interest in the future for the Coast?s economy, community, and community it is, now is the time to ask why no one really gives a dam.

Let me share my perspective with your readers.

Our history is still anchored in the Central Coast being a holiday or retirement destination for the less heeled who may have otherwise made their future on Sydney?s northern beaches. Beautiful beaches great hinterland and a few farms. The last 20 years has seen the Coast trying to shake off just that image and trying to add an economy which would justify us getting more infrastructures and possibly creating some jobs ? especially for kids.

The Coast has also tried to keep pace with an increasing population and securing funding for new social infrastructure such as health and education.

So what have we got? Walk down the main streets of Gosford and Wyong and that is the reality. Two towns in continuing decay. Both ravaged by secular interests of commercial interests such as Erina and Tuggerah. Last month in the cycle of aspiration one of these even claimed Capital of the Central Coast! This added to other mad hatter schemes such as a fast ferry to Sydney from Ettalong and a tram from Gosford to Terrigal. One of our councils even made a submission to the Federal Government for economic infrastructure to fund kerbs and gutters in Wyong shire. The Coast also seems to get its share of marginal investors and developers who turn to the coast to see if they can get a license to build so called new economic infrastructure called flats and resorts.

We just don?t get to see world class stuff.

Don?t let this perspective be seen as a dump on the Central Coast. It is not. It is a conversation about setting a more realistic framework for defining a future and getting a better deal for everyone. The challenge here is to rise above secular interests and the status quo. It is about setting some higher expectations for our leaders and then delivering realistic support for more worthwhile and sustainable outcomes.

There is little value in attacking the current lot who represent us.  But we should not lose sight of the realities. Gosford has a mayor who is enthusiastic about the coast but lives in the status quo. Just have a look at the welcome to Gosford sign at Kariong ? next time you pass. Surrounded by weeds, an unauthorized for lease sign and followed by a warning of a steep decent to follow. The Mayor now wants a crack at being a local member of the NSW Parliament. Say no more ? we have good evidence of what the Coast gets once the anointed get to Macquarie Street.

At the other end of the Coast we have a mayor who defends two councils because he thinks it is too much for local government to manage more than a few hundred thousand people. Both mayors and councils pedal this defense to protect their realms and personal status. It does nothing for the Coast while we squabble over the differences between Gosford and Wyong while one of our most important assets is isolated at the border of the two shires.

Ourimbah Uni could disappear down a hole of mediocrity if we do not start to build on this campus and its immediate surrounds with a little more vision and ownership.

There is even a case to give up on Gosford and Wyong and make Ourimbah the centre of the coast.

 So what of the future? Well the first step is a reality check. The Central Coast has little economic infrastructure. It has no real economic fundamentals other than beaches, spring water and land. It has no ports, no high speed rail and we may even fall behind in the new national broadband network roll out as the coast offers little patronage or utilisation to justify connecting us in.

The Coast is however well connected to the Lower Hunter which does have enviable economic assets ? we also have similar community values and people. We share their university, drink their water and enjoy access to their power. The Hunter port is in close proximity and it is far easier to go north along the freeway than south. One wonders why when major social infrastructure is reshaped that we are not moving closer to Newcastle.

It is unfathomable that Central Coast health was re-aligned with Northern Sydney ? the Coast has ended up as poor Charlie in that mix. Just look at the performance of the Coast in the recent Myhealth data which shows the performance of waiting times compared to North Sydney and the Hunter just four years after that re-structure.

The Coast will not be regarded as more than a drain on the state and federal economy unless it starts to add value and get over just being a drain calling on more and more social infrastructure and giving nothing back.

This is not an internal pissing contest between two Councils whose continued justification has long passed. It is not about the odd self interest project or in fact one out projects. The future must be about alignment and getting into the main game.

It?s also about ditching the cloak and dagger games that are played out under the pretext of ?we better not let this out of the bag too early or the so and so?s will snuff it?.

The important ideas for the Coast?s future need exposure and community support.

Those that want to constantly drag us back to a redundant past will soon be swept aside as more people get on the realistic future bus. At the moment the only bus in town is the status quo and the old power holders.

Time for change.

So here are a few thoughts and a perspective to get the conversation moving.

The Coast should hitch its future to the Hunter. We should set up a new regional working group to set this agenda and ensure it has the same status as Sydney?s WESROC. The coast can enter this process with a lot to offer. We are in the centre of the economic corridor between the Hunter and Sydney. Sydney will still be the power house that drives the region?s economy. We need to sort out what we jointly have to offer.

Power generation and supply is an example.

The Hunter?s power cables to Sydney run through the coast. In a greener future we are well placed to hook in new solar and wind generation to the system and build a collaborative relationship with the Hunter ? they will be the beneficiary of major funding for this type of infrastructure as a carbon neutral economy takes hold. We have just as much sunshine and wind to offer as anyone else.

But here?s a big one.

This perspective is intended to provoke a conversation at a very critical time. We have state and federal elections on the horizon. The questions now to ask is are the same old faces and the same old interests going to deliver a viable future for the coast? I recall a colleague?s words to me once when discussing a similar problem as I was doing an insolvent company work-out. He said ?if you are always going to do what you have always done ? then you are always going to get what you always got ? and some?

David Chandler is a Central Coast resident and former Chair of Central Coast Health.

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