Limited population capacity

The Woy Woy Peninsula will have limited capacity to take higher populations than are provided for under current land use zones, according to the proposed draft Central Coast Regional Strategy.

The report stated that the Woy Woy Peninsula had a "considerable population capacity under existing zones, and also experiences local infrastructure challenges".

Under the strategy, Woy Woy would be made into a "town centre" for the Peninsula, while Umina and Ettalong would be developed as "village centres".

Woy Woy would be developed as only one of seven town centres for the entire Central Coast.

The strategy stated that town centres would generally have concentrations of retail, health and professional services mixed with medium density residential within the centre and would also serve surrounding residential areas.

It stated that "services present will generally include two to three supermarkets, a discount department store, more than 50 shops, child care, schools, community facilities, bank, branch library, professional services, medical centre and small civic square".

Centres that would develop as town centres over the next 25 years were Woy Woy, Bateau Bay, The Entrance, Erina, Lake Haven, Toukley and Warnervale (new), according to the report.

It stated that planning strategies would be required to determine appropriate low to mid-rise living opportunities "up to six storeys, where appropriate" in and around the core of the centre (up to 800 metres from centre).

Lower-rise development would be provided surrounding the core.

The strategy stated that there would be some clusters of commercial use within the core with higher density residential around and on top as part of overall mixed-use development.

Transport would include frequent buses and/or rail with access by walking and cycling.

Town centres would also have a civic square and sporting facilities.

Under the strategy, "village centres" would generally be small- to medium-sized concentrations of retail, health and other services integrated with medium density (town house style) residential living.

Local public transport would provide connections to town centres.

Villages would have 11 to 50 shops, a small supermarket, child care, primary school, access to small parks, general practitioner plus ancillary (dentist, podiatrist) and local business services (accountant, lawyer).

The strategy stated that centres to be developed as villages over the next 25 years were Umina Beach, Ettalong, Avoca Beach, Budgewoi, Chittaway Bay, East Gosford, Killarney Vale, Kincumber, Lake Munmorah, Lisarow, Long Jetty, Niagara Park, Ourimbah, Terrigal, Wadalba, West Gosford and Wyoming.

Village centres would be built of medium density and would focus on townhouse and villa development in close proximity to the town centre (up to either 400 or 600 metres from centre).

Employment would include less than 1000 jobs focusing on local retail and services.

Transport would be located on key transport routes with frequent buses or trains supported by walking and cycling.

Recreation would include "a local park".

The strategy stated that the planning regarding the scale, form, density and type of development for both types of centres would be undertaken by local councils.

In other sections, the report noted that coastal areas such as Umina and Ettalong were likely to continue to attract retirees, which brought with them "specific infrastructure needs".

It also noted that part of RailCorp's planned intiatives up to 2013 involved interchange and commuter car park improvements at Woy Woy and Tuggerah.

The strategy is available on the internet and was provided by Minister for Planning Mr Frank Sartor.

Draft Central Coast Regional Strategy, October 13 Frank Sartor, Minister for Planning