Peninsula has surplus of recreation land, strategy finds
The Peninsula has a surplus of almost 11 hectares of "land for recreational park" and a deficit of just on 21 hectares of "land for sport", according to Central Coast Council's draft Open Space Strategy.
However, it makes no specific recommendations to redress the balance.
The strategy prepared by Otium Planning Group uses the "Peninsula Planning District", which includes Point Clare and extends as far as West Gosford, as its planning basis.
"This Strategy has a focus on ensuring supply of open space for recreation and sport in response to population growth over the next 10 years."
It predicts the Peninsula's population will grow by less than 1200 people in the 10 years from 2021 to 2031, the second lowest growth rate in the region behind East Brisbane Water.
The Peninsula's planning district had a population of about 52,000 in 2021, of which the Peninsula itself had 39,000.
The strategy uses a 2.1 per cent population growth from 52,058 in 2021 to 53,175 in 2031, an increase of 1117 people as the basis for its assessment of the Peninsula's needs.
The strategy recommends a benchmark rate of 1.80 hectares per 1000 residents of "land for recreation parks" and 1.3 hectares per 1000 of "land for sport", for a figure 3.1 hectares for total open space.
The document says the Peninsula has 154.75 hectares of "total open space", which represented 2.97 hectares per 1000 residents in 2021 and 2.91 hectares per 1000 residents in 2031.
The document says that, of the total open space on the Peninsula, 106.59 hectares is parkland, representing a rate of 2.05 hectares per 1000 residents, well above the recommended benchmark of 1.80 hectares per 1000 residents.
On the other hand, it says there is 48.16 hectares is for sport, representing 0.93 hectares per 1000 residents, well below the benchmark of 1.3 hectares per 1000 residents.
The document does not have a map to show which areas of land on the Peninsula are designated as park and which for sport.
While "adopting a principle of no net loss of functional open space", the strategy makes no specific recommendations about how the imbalance would be addressed on the Peninsula.
However, its general recommendations included "potential strategies to address the access deficit".
It suggested "identification of active transport links can improve access to open space".
"Development of 'green street' connections could provide enhanced walkability and connectivity."
It recommended "acquisition of additional land, or easements to increase the permeability of, or access to, existing parks" and "acquisition of land to provide new parks or to expand existing parks".
It suggested bushland and conservation areas could be "enhanced" with trails and picnic areas to "improve local outdoor recreation opportunities".
It also recommended "identification of other open space areas (such as school grounds, unused road corridors and buffers) that can be improved or enhanced as multiple purpose areas to provide local recreation opportunities".
While recognition is given in the strategy of the needs of an older population, community consultation was heavily skewed to those in the 35-49 years age group.
Almost half of the respondents to a community needs survey were in this age group.
On the Peninsula, the age group represents only 18 per cent of the population, while those aged over 50 make up close to half the population.
The strategy says an ageing population "means a likely increase in self-directed exercise and recreation such as walking and cycling.
"This places a greater focus on use of parks and beaches, active transport links with, and connectivity to, residential areas.
"Increased provision of a range of opportunities, programs and associated services will help to keep older residents healthy."
The strategy found that more than 85 per cent of Peninsula residents lived within 400 metres of open space for recreation and sport.
However, one in eight people did not have "walkable access" to any public open space - one of the highest figures in the region.
The strategy also found: "In some planning areas, there is a prevalence of regional sites which provide local access to recreation opportunities."
However, the draft does not address the converse situation where local access to recreation opportunities was reduced due to regional use.
SOURCE:
Central Coast Council agenda item 2.3, 23 Jul 2024