Planning document has no solutions
The "Sustainable Central Coast" document (prepared by the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning) pays lip service to the need for infrastructure but does not suggest any strategies for dealing with the problem.
I believe the document should contain benchmarks which state that unless the Central Coast receives the necessary infrastructure then development cannot continue.
The document lists all the problems but no solutions.
We are already living with clogged roads both locally and between the Coast and Sydney.
Brisbane Water Drive is now clogged and it takes 20 minutes longer to get to Gosford in peak hour than it used to.
Woy Woy Rd is a disgrace and needs major funding.
Roads such as Mt Ettalong Rd, Springfield St, Barrenjoey Rd are seeing increasing amounts of traffic and need major upgrading work if they are to cope.
Brisbane Ave is now a major artery and in need of upgrading with kerb, guttering and footpaths, but until the drainage is in place this cannot happen.
I am advised it will cost several million dollars to drain South Umina to a standard where kerb and guttering can occur.
The document also makes it clear that there needs to be a marked improvement in public transport across the Central Coast and that local residents realistically have no altemative to using the private car.
I remain of the opinion that we should not allow any more medium density until we have firm commitments from both levels of government on infrastructure.
Cr Lynne Bockholt