Woy Woy could see up to 6000 new dwellings

Woy Woy could see up to 6000 new dwellings by 2036 if residential growth is evenly split between Gosford and other "Strategic Centres" such as Erina, Wyong, Tuggerah and Warnervale.

According to Central Coast Council's Local Strategic Planning Statement, around 25 per cent of all anticipated dwellings forecast to be built by 2036, will be in Strategic Centres, including Woy Woy, and Gosford.

Development will be contingent on the completion of further significant reports and studies.

The Statement itself forecasts dwelling and development change to 2036 on the Peninsula ranging from 2.8 per cent up to 27.7 per cent.

The built form of Woy Woy will be "medium to high-density residential and office buildings based around commercial core and functional public transport connections".

To achieve this vision Council will need to "adopt a Strategic Plan for Woy Woy to support population growth that will have regard for traffic impacts whilst protecting the scenic quality and retaining the unique environmental character of the area."

The revitalisation of Woy Woy will also be contingent on the "development of a cohesive public domain approach strategy that supports a pleasant and safe town centre with housing, jobs, services, community facilities and entertainment for residents and visitors."

Out of the Local Strategic Planning Statement at least 30 further studies, plans and strategies will be conducted which will determine the future character of Woy Woy and the Peninsula.

Of particular importance to the Peninsula is a proposal to "undertake an audit of the use of local parks (using place-based consultations) to determine how they can be better utilised or reinvested in alternative locations.

"The audit would provide an evidence base for decision making on the appropriate provision and location of parks."

Central Coast Council says it will also collaborate closely with State Government Agencies in the development of the draft Central Coast Future Transport Regional Plan to support active and vibrant centres in the Central Coast region.

A Heritage Interpretation Strategy for the Woy Woy Town Centre will be developed in the next three to five years.

The only key enabling projects mentioned in the Statement for the Peninsula were Ettalong Beach Ferry wharf, Woy Woy Peninsula Drainage and Woy Woy Ferry Wharf.

Projects the do not get a mention but shown on a map include the Rawson Rd upgrade and level crossing replacement.

Other "place making" projects recently touted by Council were not mentioned in the Statement, including the new toilet facility at Fisherman's Wharf, Woy Woy Flood Plain Risk Management Study and Plan, and the upgrade of Woy Woy Tidal Baths.

In the short-term (up to three years), Council would "undertake a region-wide review of existing centres and develop a Centres Hierarchy and Strategy to inform future growth in centres".

Still on the drawing board (also with a three-year timeframe) is the Consolidated Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan "to provide a single guiding document for land use and development for the Central Coast region".

Another short-term project is delivery of a character assessment across the Central Coast LGA to inform local plans, statements and strategies.

Car parking strategies will be developed (timeframe ongoing) as part of corridor strategies and other plans to reduce reliance on private vehicle use and support sustainable transport objectives, including supporting infrastructure such as bus stops, shuttle buses, existing pathways and pedestrian access.

Other steps in the Statement, all with "ongoing" timeframes, include the development of centre structure plans and identification of urban renewal, master planning and place-making projects.

In the medium term (three to five years) Woy Woy will get a precinct plan "to support revitalisation and localised development opportunities".

Planning controls (LEP and DCP) will also be reviewed to "determine opportunities for growth" and a Woy Woy precinct plan will be prepared "to support revitalisation and localised development opportunities".

The Statement also proposed developing "Activity Hubs within Centre Structure Plans, as the heart of key Centres, providing core elements such as a transport interchange, education facilities, business centres, Wifi hotspots, smart hubs, fresh food markets, health and medical services, library and childcare options, creating dynamic urban environments that encourage the exchange of ideas, opportunities for creativity and an appealing lifestyle."

A Central Coast Housing Strategy is also in the pipeline along with plans to implement parts of the Council's Draft Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy which has been in abeyance since 2018.

Also to be developed as outcomes of the Strategic Planning Statement are an Active Lifestyle Strategy, Green Infrastructure Audit and Strategy, Nature-based Recreation Strategy, a Community Facilities Strategy, cultural plan, review of heritage items, Heritage Strategy, Conservation Management Plans, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Study, a Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy, Sustainability Strategy, Green Grid Plan, Waste Strategy, Climate Change Policy, Place-based Climate Action Plans, Disaster Resilience Strategy and a Biodiversity Strategy.

SOURCE:

Website, 13 May 2020

Local Strategic Planning Statement, Central Coast Council