Woy Woy to be 'high density' residential and office area

Woy Woy's classification as a Strategic Centre in the draft Local Strategic Planning Statement allows it to have "high density" residential and office buildings.

The Statement does not define what it means by "high density", nor the extent of the "centre".

However, NSW Planning has previously described "low rise medium density" as typically having up to 45 dwellings per hectare.

"High density" appears to have no upper limit and is typically dominated by blocks of flats.

"Higher density" has been described by NSW Planning as being four or more storey apartment blocks..

Central Coast Council has previously proposed that densities applying to Woy Woy would extend as far as one kilometre from the town centre.

The Statement describes the Peninsula's commercial areas as falling into three different categories.

Woy Woy was classified as a strategic centre, Umina as a town centre and Ettalong as a local centre.

"A Strategic Centre is a key growth centre built at a focal point for roads and major public transport (rail and bus), serving an immediate subregional residential population," the Statement says.

"It provides retail services, a public transport interchange, central civic spaces, library and community facilities.

"Our Strategic Centres will offer high-amenity settings for medium density residential and maintain their distinctive characters."

The Statement describes the "built form" of a Strategic Centre as "medium to high density residential and office buildings based around commercial core and functional public transport connections".

Three priorities were listed for Woy Woy.

These were to adopt a strategic plan for Woy Woy to support population growth, to promote housing growth and to "encourage revitalisation".

The first priority was listed as: "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 second was listed as: "Promote housing growth of appropriate densities close to public transport that will encourage socially diverse population as well as accommodating short stays for visitors in a manner that does not impact connections and movement as well as limiting growth in environmental hazard areas of the Woy Woy peninsula."

The third was listed as: "Encourage revitalisation of Woy Woy through 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."

Umina was classified as a Town Centre.

The Statement says: "A Town Centre provides localised services to the residential population.

"Town Centres provide low-to-mid rise living with some medium-density housing as part of mixed-use areas, in the commercial centre.

"They support public transport usage with public transport connections accessed by walking and cycling.

"They provide recreational and community facilities and a civic space."

The Statement describes the "built form" of a Town Centre as "a generally low rise character with concentrations of retail, health and professional services within medium density living".

Four priorities were listed for Umina.

These were to create a "civic area", "connection of key attractors", "capitalising on amenity benefits" and "innovative development and design".

The first was listed as: "Creation of a Civic area through enhancement of the useability of public space in the centre and providing safe public realm ensuring functionality for a wide cross section of the community."

The second was listed as: "Connection of Key Attractors by maximising opportunities for ecological and environmental sustainability including rainwater recycling, energy efficiency, encourage cycling."

The third was listed as: "Capitalising on Amenity Benefits by improving relationship between public and private spaces to the benefit of the public whilst fostering community 'ownership' and approval as part of the renewal process and business community."

The fourth was listed as: "Creating Opportunity for Innovative Development and Design."

Ettalong was classified as a Local Centre.

The Statement says: "A Local Centre functions primarily as a local meeting place, with convenience shops, such as your local butcher and day time entertainment.

"It generally consists of a strip of shops and its surrounding residential area within a five to10 minute walk."

The Statement describes the "built form" of a Local Centre as "low to medium rise development with a focus on townhouse and villa development".

There are no specific priorities listed for Ettalong and it is unclear whether it shares the objectives stated for other Local Centres including to "retain and enhance the existing amenity, character and facilities", "enable and support local small business growth" and "support local tourism growth".

Website, 13 May 2020

Local Strategic Planning Statement, Central Coast Council