Negotiations underway to finalise Gosford City Centre Plans

He said that last year, the Minister for Planning, the Hon Frank Sartor, declared Gosford the Regional City and the capital of the Central Coast.
“This important recognition links closely with Council's strategic planning for Gosford's city centre, as reflected in the City Centre Plans,” said the Mayor and went on to say:
“While Council's Vision 2025 document identified our community's main priorities for Gosford's city centre, the City Centre Plans are one of the major instruments for turning this vision into reality. These plans encapsulate a 25 year framework for establishing a vibrant, bustling commercial, educational, cultural and residential hub, both on the waterfront and within the city centre. They were endorsed by Council in June, 2007, and negotiations are now underway with Minister Sartor to ensure they are finalised as soon as possible.
“Meanwhile, Council is actively seeking expressions of interest from developers with a proven track record in building highly desirable environments where people live, work, and play.
“Step One in this process was publishing a full page colour advertisement in the Australian Financial Review on October 31. The ad invited developers, investors, investment banks, property trusts, finance houses, superannuation funds, local landowners and businesses to consider Gosford's development opportunities within all areas of the city centre and the waterfront.
“To date, the response has been very positive, with Council's Director of Environment and Planning, Colleen Worthy-Jennings, now inviting a number of interested parties to spend a day in Gosford to highlight the area's investment potential.

Governing authority for Gosford City Centre
“Negotiations are also underway with the Department of Planning and the Department of Lands to consider the options available for creating a governing authority to assist in building the city centre.
These plans include the waterfront which is an integral part of the revitalisation of the city centre.
“Indeed, Gosford Waterfront Strategy forms part of the City Centre Plans, Citywide Local Environmental Plan and Gosford Community Strategic Plan 2031. This strategy, which was adopted by Council in June 2007, focuses on revitalising the waterfront area with a wide range of cultural and leisure experiences.

Central Coast Performing Arts facility
Mayor  McFadyen commented further, “another integral part of the City Centre Plan is creating a performing arts facility for the Central Coast that would be part of a larger cultural precinct located in Gosford. In examining the scope and feasibility of a performing arts facility and precinct, Council decided to proceed in two stages, with the first stage assessing community demand for such cultural "spaces and places" and whether existing facilities were suitable for inclusion in this project.
“In April 2007, Stage 1 of the Cultural Spaces and Places Framework commenced. Since then, a stakeholder engagement strategy has been developed and research conducted with professional touring companies and arts administrators.
“The key finding from Stage One is that there is broad community appeal for the development of a performing arts facility as part of a wider cultural precinct.
Based on this information, Council resolved at its October 2 meeting to proceed with Stage 2 of the project and to approach both the State and Federal Governments for funding.  It was also resolved that Stage 2 be fully integrated into planning associated with the City Centre Plan, Waterfront Strategy, Gosford Pool, Civic Precinct and other elements considered for the establishment of a regional city.

City Link Project
Mayor McFadyen said, “Another motion that came under discussion at the November 6 Council meeting was Gosford's health service needs and the City Link Project involving the Gosford Hospital site. On June 5 last, Council resolved that land owned by NSW Health and Landcom be deferred from the City Centre Plans until such time as the Minister for Planning convened a group to resolve planning and development issues relating to the land. This group would comprise Council, NSW Health, Landcom, Railcorp and the Department of Planning.
“On November 6 Council resolved to request the Minister to determine concept plans for the City Link Project and that these plans integrate with and reflect the vision and objectives of the City Centre Plans prepared by the City Centres Taskforce. Council will also request the Minister to determine that subsequent stages of the project be assessed and determined by Council. It was also resolved that the master planning process address the transport and traffic issues currently affecting the area and those stemming from the development of the project in particular.

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