Council lists Peninsula plans

Gosford Council has released its corporate plan, which lists projects to be undertaken on the Peninsula over the next few years.

The projects include the Ettalong Beach town centre and beach foreshore revitalisation, Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach maintenance works, upgrade of the Patonga Camping ground, sewer infrastructure for Patonga Creek and the Road Traffic Management Study for Ocean Beach Rd, Umina.

Other projects include a cycleway from Woy Woy to Blackwall Mountain, several projects at the Woy Woy landfill, a DCP for cottages at Dark Corner, Patonga, Peninsula flood related studies, the operation of the Ettalong Senior Citizen centre, Ocean Beach and Umina Beach Surf Club upgrades and the Pedestrian Access Mobility Plan for the Peninsula.

The Ettalong Beach Town Centre and Beach Foreshore project includes the revitalisation of the town centre and beach foreshore.

Council has allocated a budget of $1 million for this project, including funds from the financial strategy, the Ettalong Beach Memorial Club and possible grants, to be implemented over the next year or two.

The Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach capital improvement and maintenance works project will see council's finance committee investigate financial options to fund capital improvement and maintenance works following the rejection of the introduction of a special business levy.

The project is funded through a recurring budget and has an implementation period sometime within the next year.

Council has also resolved to prepare a business plan to improve the operation and performance of the Patonga Camping Ground.

Council has set aside $100,000 for the project, with $75,000 from the rural fire service and $25,000 of council funding, and has set a date to complete the project by December next year.

Another project in the corporate plan includes progressing of sewer infrastructure installations to areas attracting state government subsidies including Patonga Creek and Empire Bay, among other Central Coast areas.

The feasibility of an off road footpath and cycleway from Woy Woy to Blackwall Mountain will be investigated under the corporate plan.

The project will be funded using $40,000 of capital funding during the 2007/2008 financial year to the 2009/2010 financial year.

Several projects are also currently planned for the Woy Woy Landfill site.

One of the projects includes the closure of the site for the receipt of putrescible waste.

The project would be funded by the waste facility reserve, with the void space to be depleted by December 2018, under the plan.

Another project at the Woy Woy Landfill includes the extraction of landfill gas and methane to generate green energy.

Negotiations for the budget of the project are currently continuing with AGL, according to Gosford Council.

Council has set a project implementation period for December next year.

The last project in the corporate plan for Woy Woy Landfill is the construction of the next stage at the western end of the site.

This would also be funded by the waste facility reserve, with a completion date set for the end of 2007.

Council has resolved to match funding with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources to develop a conservation management plan for cottages at Dark Corner, Patonga, with an implementation period during the 2006/2007 financial year.

Another project planned for the Peninsula includes the preparation of a Local Environment Plan, Development Control Plan and revised contributions plan for the Peninsula, so that council can implement the Peninsula Urban Design Strategy.

Council has set an implementation period from now until 2007.

The plan also includes flood studies for the Woy Woy Peninsula.

The studies would involve the investigation of flood and drainage problems, and research solutions in line with Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD).

Council has set aside a budget of $60,000 for the project, with $40,000 from capital funding and a $20,000 grant.

The implementation period for this project will be from now until 2007.

Council has also set aside $150,000 to investigate and calculate Brisbane Water flood levels.

Some $50,000 will be provided to the project through capital funding while another $100,000 will be provided through a grant.

Council has set a date for the start of the project for late next year.

The Ettalong Senior Citizens Centre will be among three of the senior citizen centres on the Central Coast to have a review of its operation to enhance its functionality.

Council stated in its report that this would be in consultation with all the centre members and the community.

The project would be implemented in the near future.

Council has also put money aside to refurbish local surf clubs including Ocean Beach, Umina Beach and Killcare surf clubs.

Money for the refurbishment includes $600,000 from the financial strategy, a $5 million loan, $300,000 from section 94 funding, $450,000 from club contributions and $200,000 from a State government grant.

The funds will also go towards, Avoca and Copacabana.

The implementation period will be in late 2007.

Corporate Plan, September 1 Gosford Council