Chamber is 'partner' in waterfront project

Central Coast Council has given the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce the status of "partner" in its $1.2 million ratepayer-funded Woy Woy waterfront project.

It also has this status for the Peninsula District Place Plan project, a strategic planning exercise for the Peninsula which is expected to "co-ordinate all Central Coast Council planning tasks" for the district.

The arrangement is revealed in an attachment to a progress report presented to the March 28 council meeting on the council's tourism plan, the Central Coast Destination Management Plan 2022-25.

The Woy Woy waterfront project extends the length of the Woy Woy channel from Woy Woy wharf to Lions Park, and includes the Pelican Park playground which the council proposes to remove.

The removal of the playground was put on hold in June 2021 after Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch supported a petition with 6000 signatures calling for its retention.

It was reported at the time that the decision to remove the playground came after an onsite meeting between council staff and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce.

Both projects are listed under a heading of Central Coast Township Revitalisation as actions to "identify towns that need amenity improvements that will strengthen their appeal to the visitor economy" and to "undertake a Central Coast Tourism Township Streetscape and Foreshore Masterplan for identified towns".

Partners under the heading are listed as "industry, Chambers of Commerce".

Neither the waterfront project nor the Place Plan project is listed in the Destination Management Plan itself, nor is Woy Woy listed as an "identified town".

The Plan gives a cost estimate of $200,000 in total for "township revitalisation" with a medium priority.

It indicates grant funding would be available to support this.

However, the council's draft capital works budget currently on exhibition shows spending on the Woy Woy waterfront project over the next two years to be funded from general rates revenue.

The update described progress as: "Woy Woy Waterfront Masterplan community consultation, July 2022, with refinements and completed plan to allow funding to be allocated to projects in future year budgets".

Among the achievements noted for the Peninsula were the application for "eco-certification" by Bombora Ettalong Beach SUP.

Ettalong Town Centre was noted as winner of "Most Compelling Itinerary' in the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards 2021.

Woy Woy was named as a finalist in the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards 2022.

The NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort received a Silver award at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022 and was Holiday Park of the Year at the Caravan and Camping Industry of Australia Awards.

Woy Woy Fisherman's Wharf won a Chef's Hat for in Sydney Morning Herald's The Good Food Guide 2023.

Two tourism round-tables were held to align strategic priorities and included the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

The report recommended that "the focused approach to tourism development and destination management be maintained to ensure long-term viability and sustainability of this vital sector".

The council resolved to receive the report and attachment on the progress of actions of the Central Coast Destination Management Plan 2022-2025 and receive a further report in 12 months.

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda 2.8, 28 Mar 2023