Umina streetscape process starts

Gosford City Council has appointed local consultants Andrews Neil to prepare the new Umina Beach Streetscape Masterplan for the town centre.

This decision by Council was prompted by the earlier rejection of the previous upgrade plans by local businesses and the community who were not satisfied that the proposals took into account the needs of the town centre.

"The Chamber of Commerce has been greatly encouraged by the first of the public meeting held by Andrews Neil at the Umina Beach Bowling Club on May 3," said Chamber president Matthew Wales.

"The meeting was well attended by both business people and the local community with a wide cross-section of opinion expressed by everyone.

"Through a very relaxed workshop format, we believe that the consultants have been able to collate a large range of information which when combined with the previous studies and workshop material, will form the new masterplan proposal.

"The Chamber has been advised that the next public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 31, at the Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club with the draft Umina Beach Streetscape Masterplan being placed on exhibition shortly afterwards"

Mr Wales said that the Chamber of Commerce was encouraging as many business and community representatives as possible to attend the workshop meetings so that the consultants could assess the broad spectrum of community opinion.

"This is an important opportunity for both businesses and the wider community to have their say.

"Even though there is only $1.2 million available for the upgrade works in this round of funding, other capital works funding will flow on in years to come if we have a comprehensive and far-sighted strategy mapped out.

"The Chamber has always been of the opinion that long term planning is crucial to the success of the Umina Beach CBD."

Matthew Wales, May 17