Council releases Peninsula Vision

Gosford Council has this month released its Peninsula Vision economic development plan, which was adopted last August.

The document has been used to justify the introduction of a business levy on the Peninsula.

The plan identifies six "themes" and four "supporting strategies".

The themes are tourism, retail and local services, new business development, home-based employment, aged care and services, and lifestyle centre of excellence.

The four supporting strategies are coordination and management, education and skills development, regional integration, and urban planning and infrastructure.

Prepared by consultants at APP Corporation, the study was funded by Gosford Council, State and Federal Governments and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

The plan stated that there was "broad community acceptance of tourism as an appropriate industry for the area".

"The area has an abundance of natural attractions and resources that can enhance and benefit from tourism initiatives."

Retail provided about one quarter of the Peninsula's current employment and, with half the Peninsula's household spending taking place elsewhere, there was "a real opportunity for an enhanced retail industry".

Opportunities existed for new business development, particularly with quality small businesses, despite a poor track record over the years, according to the report.

The report also identified potential home-based employment in about 1680 Peninsula residences, based on Australian averages.

This would be "a great opportunity to improve the quality of life for the large number of Sydney commuters resident on the Peninsula and to provide an important starting point for small businesses".

Aged care and associated services represented an existing industry on the Peninsula which, according to the plan, had potential to expand "with both economic and social benefits".

As a "lifestyle centre of excellence", collaboration between business and post-secondary education could result in "strong benefits" to the community and could stimulate growth in knowledge-based employment.

The strategy proposed "place management" to provide coordination between business, the community and government.

It identified education and skills training initiatives as an important part of local economic development.

Integration of the Peninsula workforce into the regional economy was proposed to reduce the impact of commuting.

It also stated that urban planning and infrastructure planning was critical in "assisting in the development of a clear framework for future development.

The release of the Peninsula Vision document coincides with council's annual community forums about its City Management Plan.

The council has told local community members that the forums provide the opportunity for residents to have their say on the proposed business levy.

The forums will be held on Monday, May 2, between 10am and noon and from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in Council's Chambers on the first floor of Gosford Council offices in Mann St, Gosford.

The draft plan will be on exhibition from April 27 and May 25 at Woy Woy and Umina Beach Library, as well as council's Woy Woy customer service centre.

Comments on the levy have been invited and will be accepted until May 25 by council.

For more information on the Draft City Management Plan, or the Peninsula Vision Document, council's website can be viewed at www.gosford.nsw.gov.au.

Mark Snell, March 19