Group releases plan for Peninsula's future

A local environment group has released a plan for the future layout of the Peninsula, which it describes as ecologically-sustainable.

The plan, which splits the area into 10 suburbs has been prepared by community group Equilibrium Community Ecology Inc as a submission to Gosford Council's Study for the Peninsula Integrated Urban Design Strategy.

Equilibrium chairman Mr Mark Snell said the group decided to formulated the plan following statements by Gosford Council's integrated planning manager, Mr Michael Leavey, that the public would not have input into the plan being prepared by Council consultants until after the plan is developed on goes on public display.

"We believe it is important that the Peninsula community is involved in discussion about the shape of its own future before any decisions are made," Mr Snell said.

"Hopefully, this plan will encourage others to contribute their ideas."

Mr Snell said that the Equilibrium plan was the first published plan for the Peninsula based on State Government's planning policy "Shaping the Central Coast".

The group's plan has a 50-year outlook and addresses economic, social and environmental considerations as well as regular building and zoning regulations.

The plan includes the creation of new suburbs on the Peninsula each with their own local shops, offices and neighbourhood centre, all within 500 metres walking distance of residents.

"We want to reduce car travel and commuting generally, so people are basing their lives around an energy-efficient home and are spending more time with their families and in their local community."

The plan covers neighbourhood design and home orientation for environmental and social purposes as well as suggesting ways affordable housing could be provided.

"It creates a local economy where we provide as much of our own employment as possible, and we supply for our own needs and buy locally wherever possible.

"For the Peninsula, this includes an emphasis on home-based small business and tele-commuting, ecological and arts-cultural tourism, local retail, personal services, small business services and, at least in the short term, the aged care industry.

The plan also includes a road system designed to improve traffic flow, create quieter residential areas and support a sense of community.

This includes two six-lane "grand avenues" with wide median strips, which cross the Peninsula.

"These are designed to improve the area's appearance as well as improving travel times," Mr Snell said.

The plan moves two schools so that each "quadrant" formed by the intersecting avenues has its own primary school, positioned away from busy streets.

Under the plan, residential densities are higher closer to the town centres of Ettalong, Umina and Woy Woy and lower density further away.

"Town centres of Umina and Woy Woy are redesigned to give them more cohesion."

"The railway station is moved away from the town centre to help decongest Woy Woy."

Mr Snell rejected the suggestion that the plan was too big and too outrageous.

"If we are not prepared to imagine what we really want and plan for it, we will never get it.

"If we consistently make decisions that support the plan, we will eventually get there," he said.

"I don't think it is at all outrageous to expect that we should have an implementation plan for the regional planning strategy, Shaping the Central Coast.

"We believe this plan is both desirable and achievable, but accept that it is not without its costs and challenges.

"What is most important is that all members of the community are encouraged to put their ideas forward and that public discussion occurs before any strategy is adopted: that we have a chance to decide what we want and how we are going to achieve it.

"The longest journey starts with the first step. This is a start," he said.

Electronic copies of the plan summary are available free by email from Mark Snell at mark.snell@equilibrium.org.au or telephone 4342 5333.

Press release, July 23 Equilibrium Community Ecology Inc