Streetscape plan rejected

Umina Beach businesses and community representatives have rejected a street-scaping plan for Umina proposed by the Umina Beach CBD Building Committee.

A public meeting convened by Gosford Council and chaired by mayor Cr Chris Holstein voted against the plan.

The meeting was called by the council after the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about the proposal for five additional raised pedestrian crossings and kerb blisters in the town.

"The Chamber of Commerce has been fighting for the last two years to have this controversial plan reviewed," said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

"As a result of the overwhelming vote, the upgrade plan will go back to Council for a full review so as to ensure that the upgrading works in the Umina Beach business centre have the full support of the community.

"Eighty percent of those who attended the meeting rejected the plan.

"One of the major items of concern to the Chamber was the inability of large trucks and buses to negotiate the proposed kerb blisters and raised thresholds in order to serve the supermarkets and shops in the main street.

"These trucks would be crossing over onto oncoming traffic lanes in both the main street and the side street in an attempt to negotiate the turn.

"We already have traffic and pedestrian chaos in West Street as result of works carried out in 1996. The business community has had enough," he said.

Mr Wales said that the Chamber has consistently taken the position over the last two years that an independent planning consultant should be engaged.

He should prepare a master plan for the Umina Beach business centre that takes into consideration the long term requirements of the town and the changing demographics of the area.

"We will continue to work with and encourage Gosford Council to allocate funds from its Financial Strategy budget for the required planning study," he said.

"This has already been undertaken with other town centres such as Woy Woy, Gosford and Terrigal.

"We see no reason why Umina Beach should not be afforded the same opportunity."

Gosford Council has allocated $1.5 million dollars to the upgrade of the Umina Beach CBD.

"The Chambers representatives on the Building Committee have been working tirelessly over the past two years to have a formal review of the plans undertaken," said Mr Wales.

"This Committee has been split on this issue and we believe it is unfortunate that the Council has not stepped in earlier to resolve the matter.

"After all, it is the business community that is bearing the brunt of the cost through the Special Rate Levy under the Financial Strategy."

Mr Wales said that the Chamber and the business people of Umina Beach support many parts of the original plan but do not support the proliferation of raised pedestrian crossings and street narrowing works.

Mayor Holstein said the Umina CBD Upgrade Plan will be referred to the next available council meeting for deliberation, taking into account the views expressed at the public meeting.

Matthew Wales