McWaide vote change sees Umina Beach toilets rebuilt

A change of vote by Gosford West ward's Cr Trent McWaide has resulted in a decision to rebuild the toilets next to the Umina Beach Surf Club.

Central Coast Council's Gosford West ward covers the Peninsula.

The rare departure from block voting in the Council sees $650,000 allocated for replacement of the toilets including the provision of change rooms for people with a disability.

Design development, consultation and approvals will be undertaken in the 2026-27 financial year, and construction will be programmed for the 2027-28 financial year,

"The toilets are 52 years old and were previously recommended for demolition in 2031 but need to be replaced earlier," said Gosford West's Cr Belinda Neal, who moved the motion.

She said the current toilets were of a poor standard and inadequate for the present needs of the community.

"The present block does not provide suitable change rooms for the disabled surfer group that uses the facilities on a regular basis.

"It does not provide showers or appropriate change rooms for the people with a disability who have been forced to provide their own portable facilities."

Gosford West's Cr Jane Smith seconded the motion.

She said it "came to light in 2025 ... that this facility was highly utilised by the Disabled Surfers Association and that facilities are inadequate for that sector and that purpose".

Cr Smith said the Disabled Surfers Association was "a truly amazing organisation".

"Its mission is to put 'Smiles on Dials' by taking people of all disabilities surfing in a fun, friendly and safe environment.

"Being able to do that involves vast numbers of volunteers, policies, procedures and logistics."

She said: "There was a strong case to bring forward the plans to improve the facilities."

Cr Smith said it had taken three attempts at three different Council meetings to get the motion supported.

"Although Cr McWaide previously opposed this initiative, I am pleased that at the meeting on January 27, he changed his vote and supported the motion."

Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast branch secretary Ms Rae Fiechter thanked Cr McWaide "for coming on board and delivering a great speech".

She acknowledged the Umina Community Group for "strong advocacy and advice".

Umina Community Group director Mr Tony Winch said the new facility was a welcome improvement to the area.

"Today the area is enjoyed every day by people with a disability," he said.

"The area is also used for a number of regional activities including disabled surfers events, Umina markets, Umina Skate Jam and the Coastal Twist Festival, all of which are attended by visitors with disability needs.

"The disabled surfers' events are held four times each summer at Umina Beach, with 50-60 surfers and their carers attending each event, along with up to 200 volunteers."

He said the new facility would be built as a regional facility with disabled toilets and change rooms.

Mr Winch said the group had been working with the Disabled Surfers Association and Cr Neal to lobby for and gain approval for the project.

He said that, over the last 10 years, the group had been working with Council staff to improve the shared paths coming into the area making the area more mobility friendly and increasing disabled access parking.

"There is now, in each of the four directions leading to Umina Beach, over 800 metres of mobility-friendly shared pathways," he said.

Pictured with Cr Neal (centre) are community group members Mr Winch, Mr Peter Springett, Ms Carol Richardson and Mr Sean Richardson, past surfer Ms Courtney Voltz, current surfers Mikayla and Mia Fordham with mum Tanya Bennett and Disabled Surfers' president Ms Fiechter.

SOURCE:

Media release, 27 Jan 2026

Cr Belinda Neal, Central Coast Council

Media release, 1 Feb 2026

Jane Smith, Central Coast Council

Social media, 29 Jan 2026

Rae Fiechter, Disabled Surfers Association

Media release, 30 Jan 2026

Alison Winch, Umina Community Group

Shade trees group looks for homes for saplings

The Grow Urban Shade Trees group is looking for homes for eight tree saplings in Peninsula nature strips or front yards.

"We have two lemon scented gums already 1.5m tall," said group member Ms Deb Sunartha.

"These can get tall so space is needed without powerlines.

"Their leaves smell incredible and the trunk will be a beautiful pale colour."

The group also has three water gums (Tristaniopsis laurina "Luscious") of various heights, which grows to a small tree for under powerlines.

It also has three two-metre tall West Australian peppermints (Agonis flexuosa), a small-medium sized tree that does not have a dense canopy.

SOURCE:

Social media, 1 Feb 2026

Grow Urban Shade Trees