'Compact city' plan for Peninsula

The Peninsula is to become a "compact city", according to the State Government's draft planning strategy for the Central Coast.

The strategy "Shaping the Central Coast" foreshadows growth in the region of 88,000 people over the next 20 years.

It also claims to incorporate the principles of ecologically-sustainable development.

Of seven urban districts in the region, the Peninsula has the single largest area designated for "compact city" urban redevelopment.

The document is currently on public exhibition, with comments being received until May 5.

The strategy recommends "medium density housing in areas with good access to public transport, employment and other services".

It also recommends upgrading infrastructure on the Peninsula "to facilitate urban consolidation opportunities in these established areas".

Details of the potential redevelopment are only given in the broadest terms.

"Compact urban centres, with varied employment opportunities and higher densities of residential development, are necessary to sustain good public transport and enable services such as education, cultural attractions and retail development to be viable," the document states.

"In a compact city, housing styles and densities need to complement the local character and strengthen rail and road based transport networks.

"The need to provide housing choice means building multi-unit dwellings as well as the traditional detached dwelling."

While the document does not define the nature of the "multi-unit dwellings", a presentation by the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning last week showed slides of four and six storey blocks of flats as "medium density" housing.

As well as housing, the strategy addresses transport, the environment, "living", the economy, rural land, industry and infrastructure.

The transport strategy includes support for the "high speed rail" upgrade, which would see the section of track along Mullet Creek by-passed by a direct route from Brooklyn to Woy Woy through the National Park.

The environment strategy suggests air and water quality improvement, better environmental monitoring as well as "improving standards of urban design".

As for the economy, the strategy says that economic development should only be considered if the natural environment is protected for future generations.

"New investment will need to integrate ecologically sustainable development principles into its activities, policies and procedures."

On the other hand, it says "it is imperative that the region fosters entrepreneurial skills".

The department intends to prepare an "Implementation Plan" once comments on the strategy have been received.

Printed copies of the strategy are available from the department for $15 or it may be downloaded (20mb) from the department's web site.

Mark Snell