Landing supported at business forum

The Gosford Landing project has been supported by speakers at a business leaders' forum held at the Peninsula Theatre on Wednesday, November 24, has attracted an audience of 60.

The forum's six panelists were each given three minutes to sum up what they perceived to be the major local business issues and opportunities for the Central Coast.

The six panelists were Central Coast Regional Development Corporation chairman Mr John Taylor, Central Coast Tourism CEO Mr Oliver Philpot, Labor spokesperson for Wyong Mr David Harris, Regional Development Australia Central Coast chairman Mr John Dawson, Central Coast Regional Advisory Council NSW Business Chamber president Mr Ken Baker and Central Coast Business Review editor Mr Edgar Adams.

Each presentation was then followed by one or two targeted questions selected by the Forum's chairperson Ms Margaret Haseltine and directed at each panel member.

While each panelist represented a different industry sector or political view, the key messages from the evening were similar across the board, she said.

Discussion centered on the need to stimulate the regional economy to create the additional 45,000 jobs required to support the population increase of 100,000 by the year 2031.

All panel members agreed unanimously that the number one game changer for the Central Coast was the Gosford Landing.

Mr Adams said: "The Landing will drive the investment everywhere else as it will make us more attractive to investors."

Mr Taylor said: "The Landing will be our Litmus Test, as it will show (investors) that we will put our money where our mouth is."

Media Release, 29 Nov 2011 Pheadra Pym, A Way With Words