Flooding and capacity limits highlighted in plan feedback

Central Coast Council has considered the outcomes of the draft Urban Spatial Plan community consultation and public exhibition which was completed late last year.

More than 170 submissions were received online throughout the consultation process with stakeholders and the public also engaging through community information sessions.

Key components of feedback about the Peninsula was that the plan did not adequately address the constraints of flood, sea level rise and coastal erosion on the Woy Woy Peninsula.

Feedback also indicated plans to more densely populate/develop Woy Woy because it was close to the railway station did not take into account the current and worsening flood risk on this part of the Peninsula and capacity of the road network.

Community feedback and the plan is expected to provide an initial framework for the development of the Central Coast's first Local Strategic Planning Statement.

The statement will focus on the vision and planning priorities for land use planning in the region over the next 20 years and together with Council's Community Strategic Plan will identify the long-term social, environmental and economic aspirations of the community and provide a clear direction for growth that will inform future strategic plans and planning instruments.

Mayor Cr Lisa Matthews said the Community Strategic Plan, or One Central Coast ,was a platform to build a region that all the community could be proud of.

"The upcoming statement is an opportunity for the community to have their say and engage as we seek to make the Central Coast an even more liveable and desirable place to call home," Cr Matthews said.

Comments from the public about that plan, specific to the Peninsula area, covered a variety of topics and included the following comments.

Transport infrastructure was said to be 20 years behind where it should be. Major Pacific Highway upgrades and key transport links needed to occur before population was increased.

Footpaths and shared pathway connections were needed to Woy Woy station.

Deepwater Plaza performed a key economic and social role in Woy Woy and planning should aim to facilitate a mix of land uses to ensure the priorities for Woy Woy are achieved.

Local jobs were critical for the region

There should be financial incentives for businesses, including cheap land and tax breaks.

Growth corridors should not become walls of high rise buildings with inadequate sunlight, views, trees, green spaces and amenities.

The huge increase in granny flats and other ad hoc development had had a very detrimental impact on the wider community.

Natural bushland, green spaces, wetlands and their catchments between urban centres should be protected. Developers were attempting to use State planning laws to override local planning.

Public consultation of the Local Strategic Planning Statement is proposed to start on April 6 until May 12.

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda 3.9, 9 Mar 2020