Will the Central Coast survive Sydney's population explosion?

This trend is set to continue, and if we are to prepare adequately for the future, all of Sydney should be planning now for the infrastructure required for a larger population target.

Last year the Association of Consulting Engineers Australia (ACEA) launched a major report, ‘Sydney Towards Tomorrow’, intended to provide thought leadership and promote community debate so that Sydney could live up to the vision of being the world’s most liveable city with a population of over 10 million by 2050.

Gosford and Wyong Mayors invited to lead Community Consultation debate.

The ACEA is now taking that debate forward by holding a major Community Consultation event on the Central Coast to be held on Monday 15 March 2010.

SBS Dateline presenter George Negus will preside over the proceedings.

The Mayors of Gosford and Wyong have been invited to lead the debate in terms of how the Central Coast is going to prepare for increasing demands on its infrastructure to ensure that the community has consistent, first-rate and equal access to housing, employment, education and recreation facilities and services.

Sydney Towards Tomorrow contains five key recommendations, which will be at the heart of the debate:

• One Plan for Sydney – focus on quality medium-density urban forms within the existing urban footprint and high-density around existing transport corridors and nodes. This means an increased focus on urban consolidation and less focus on fringe development. Live, work, play communities delivered by a structure planning process that brings together all elements of infrastructure in a single spatial strategy;

• Infrastructure that delivers carbon neutrality to Sydney via both short term sustainability based procurement and longer term sustainable planning;

•  Consolidate local urban councils from 42 to 11 (in the Sydney Basin) and one regional council for each of Newcastle, Illawarra and the Central Coast;

•  Reform governance structures so that there is one body responsible for the policy, planning, safety and funding of transport infrastructure management, development, maintenance and operation across all modes; and

•  Abolish the transport tax base and introduce a user pays system.

Council amalgamation issue reignited

The report has reignited the controversial topic of Council amalgamation, arguing that it would enable:

• Well resourced engineering departments with the ability to manage, develop and maintain council’s assets and drive efficiencies in the delivery of all local services;

• Well resourced planning departments to have stronger links to the State agencies and industry; and

• Efficient management of council’s social, revenue, and financial functions.

This has received its fair share of criticism. However, the true message of Sydney Towards Tomorrow is about creating an urban form that responds to multiple sustainable demands, balancing the needs of the community, business and the environment by careful planning that is based on strong local community engagement and support.

The event on Monday 15 March 2010 provides the Central Coast with an opportunity to come together and work through the issues.
Local high school students have been invited to put forward their views. The ACEA has launched a school competition, the winner of which will be presenting their ideas at the Community Consultation on the day. Runners up will have their papers published on the ACEA website and at the event.

Have your say on the future direction of the Central Coast by registering. Details (including registration) are on the ACEA’s website: www.acea.com.au

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