Draft Toukley Planning Strategy outlines future vision for Toukley

Council publicly exhibited a previous draft version of the Strategy between March and May 2006 which resulted in extensive community feedback. The Strategy was reviewed and revised in view of the feedback received as well as changes in State Government policy and legislation.

“The current strategy is based on a detailed review of the 2006 draft Strategy and the feedback received from the community and stakeholders during that consultation period,” Council’s Team Coordinator of Land Use Planning, Jonathan Luke, said.

“Since 2006, there have been changes to existing State Government planning legislation, policies and plans, including the Central Coast Regional Strategy (CCRS) which contains recommendations regarding population, dwelling and employment targets.

“The Strategy is a plan for the next 20 years, designed to rejuvenate Toukley and make sure it can cope with growth. It contains a number of recommendations regarding development and planning.

“One of the recommendations, for example, is to revitalise the Toukley Town Centre by encouraging residential living above shops in well designed buildings and enhancing car parking and landscaping.

“Improving physical and visual connections to the town centre with an emphasis on safety and accessibility are other measures identified.”

Mr Luke said the Strategy establishes planning principles and a long term direction for the Toukley peninsula.

“A lot of work has been put into researching the future needs of Toukley residents and how the area can be improved – aesthetically, socially, economically and environmentally,” Mr Luke said.

“Toukley and its surroundings are in need of planning and development guidelines to make sure adequate infrastructure and services are provided for visitors and current and future residents.

“Thirty per cent of the Toukley peninsula population is aged over 60, so accommodating these residents while encouraging other age groups and tourists to the area are all part of the plan.”

The overall purpose of the Strategy is to establish a framework of planning principles and objectives that provide a long term direction to accommodate growth while protecting the unique sensitive environmental setting of the Toukley peninsula.

Following this, new planning guidelines will be prepared to guide future growth.

“Toukley will change and we need to plan for its future and provide guidance for development that wants to come to the area,” Mr Luke said.

“However, it is important to see change that brings improvements and respects Toukley’s relaxed coastal character and unique environmental setting.”

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