Minister supports Gosford Challenge

The Gosford Challenge project aims to put life back into the Central Coast city through a partnership between State and Local Governments, in a determined bid to re-establish Gosford City as the regional hub for the Central Coast.

Gosford was chosen as one of six regional cities to be revitalised in 2006.

Following yesterday’s briefing, Mr Macdonald said he was impressed at the way the project was progressing and had thrown his full support behind it.

“The Gosford Challenge project aims to create and implement a plan for the urban renewal of the city centre, which will benefit not only Gosford but the Central Coast as a whole”.

“An important component of this project is a strong partnership with key state government agencies, which own and manage government land” said Mr Macdonald.

“I would to praise the efforts of the Gosford Council for their patience and perseverance with the consultation process.”

“The recent community consultations to gain a local view on how Gosford city should be designed and developed have shown an enthusiastic response. “Feedback has shown overwhelming support for the Challenge with 94% of respondents in favour of the renewal of the Gosford city centre.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast David Harris said the master plan could serve as a blueprint for future city revitalisation.

“This type of plan could be adapted to the rejuvenation of other cities across the country.”

Deputy Gosford Mayor Craig Doyle said the Challenge represented one of the most significant partnerships with the State Government.

“There is an absolute need for the capital of the Central Coast to be revitalised and without the participation of all parties, which are working in the best interests of the city, the project would not even have reached this level” he said.

Meanwhile, the period of exhibition for the Plan closed in early February and while on exhibition it was clear that by and large people are supportive of the Gosford Challenge and in fact are impatient for things to get going.

Feedback as a result of the exhibition has revealed that 94% of respondents say that Gosford City Centre needs to be renewed. While 84% say that strategies in the plan, if implemented, will lead to a renewed Gosford.

The Plan now goes to Council on 9th March for adoption with a launch date to be set in consultation with the State Government.

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