Fix Gosford before starting

a new mess on the waterfront

The failed revitalisation of Gosford city centre must be fixed before any development is started on the Gosford Waterfront, according to the Community Environment Network (CEN).

2 December 2022

 

CEN has sent a comprehensive submission to both Central Coast Council and the Greater Cities Commission’s Central Coast Commissioner, Robyn Parker, describing Gosford city centre as “a wreckage of its former self.. depressed and depressing”.

 

In response to the latest concept plan for the waterfront, which was on exhibition until December 1, CEN said: “We encourage Council to reconsider its latest ‘push’ to redevelop the waterfront as we believe it is premature – a bit like icing a cake before the cake is baked.

 

“We urge you, instead, to complete the economic and social revitalisation of the Gosford city centre (the cake) commenced in 2018 when the Coordinator General was appointed,” the submission said.

 

Central Coast Council and the NSW Government have failed to deliver on their promise to revitalise the Gosford city centre and the release of the waterfront concept plan is an unnecessary diversion from the work that remains to be done in the city centre, according to CEN.

 

“The ongoing stagnation of the Gosford city centre needs to be addressed expeditiously and there is no evidence that activating the waterfront will, in turn, fix the stagnation in the city proper,” the CEN submission says.

 

“This is especially the case given that the current concept plan for the waterfront fails to tackle the most critical issues standing in the way of a sustainable future for the waterfront:

 

• Environmental protection

 

• Adaptation for sea level rise

 

• Traffic management

 

• Social infrastructure and

 

• Adequate connectivity between the city centre and the waterfront.

 

The CEN submission says it is disappointing that Council did not exhibit the three options it developed and considered.

 

The submission concluded with the following 12 recommendations:

 

Recommendation 1

 

That Council extends the current consultation period into the New Year (ie., end of February 2023), holds more drop-in sessions and online info sessions, and places on exhibition the “extensive analysis of the three options” which resulted in the decision to select Option 1. We also request that more information be made public about the entire planning process including changes to the SEPP and UDF, additional land uses and the specifics of intended height limits and floor space ratios as part of the extended exhibition period.

 

Recommendation 2

 

That a new authority is created to oversee the incomplete work of the Coordinator General in relation to the sustainable activation of Gosford City Centre. That the new authority is jointly overseen/advised by the Central Coast Council, Greater Cities Commission and a new Community Reference Group. That expressions of interest are called for the Community Reference Group before March 1, 2023. That the community reference group remains in place until the dissolution of the new authority overseeing revitalisation of Gosford City Centre and the waterfront.

 

Recommendation 3

 

That Central Coast Council and the Greater Cities Commission refocus on the revitalisation of Gosford City Centre by completing the work started by the Coordinator General, reviewing the State Environmental Planning Policy (Gosford City Centre) 2018 (SEPP), the Government Architect’s Urban Design Framework (UDF) and entering negotiations with the owners/developers of key sites to incentivise scaling back proposed developments to more sustainable levels, renewable energy and water saving initiatives and driving/rewarding the fast-tracking of staged development or completion of scaled down projects.

 

Recommendation 4

 

That the revitalisation of the waterfront, with the exception of solving connectivity with the city centre, should be postponed until 75 per cent of approved developments in Gosford City (as of 31 December 2022) are at construction certificate stage.

 

Recommendation 5

 

That the Central Coast Council and the Greater Cities Commission, as a first step to activating the Gosford Waterfront, should complete traffic studies, design and secure funding for a land bridge over Dane Drive or an alternative east-west/north-south bypass. The land bridge or bypass will enhance the liveability of the revitalised Gosford City Centre and attract visitors to the waterfront and the bypass would activate the Gosford CBD. The consideration of a land bridge or bypass should be prioritised over any proposals to rezone or develop the waterfront foreshore. The current concept plan should be put on hold until the Dane Drive problem is adequately resolved.

 

Recommendation 6

 

The exhibited waterfront concept plan suggests an extensive, multi-precinct redevelopment of the Gosford waterfront that takes in areas from Point Frederick to the railway line and beyond. A more strategic approach needs to be taken and master planning broken down into smaller and more achievable/staged developments.

 

Recommendation 7

 

That the NSW Government fully funds new independent studies of the presence of Organotins and heavy metals in Brisbane Water. Based on study results, government funding is made available to chemically remove the toxins or transport contaminated seabed materials to regulated landfill.

 

Recommendation 8

 

That in-depth planning is exhibited about the management of acid sulphate soil, runoff and pollution and any plans to nourish swimming and water play areas with imported sand. All new plantings should be provenance species suited to the waterfront.

 

Recommendation 9

 

The Gosford Waterfront is flood-prone and exposed to east coast lows, tidal inundation, and storm surge. The area is not suitable for reclamation. The use of hard stand and concrete surfaces should be minimised. Extensive master planning is required to ensure any future development on the waterfront is adaptable to sea level rise.

 

Recommendation 10

 

Any proposal for a new seawall or changes to the existing seawall must be undertaken as a stand-alone project and should not go ahead without extensive analysis of end effects and the potential to worsen flooding in nearby areas including West Gosford and Point Frederick.

 

Recommendation 11

The Central Coast Council and the Greater Cities Commission must formulate, consult on and activate a comprehensive community transport plan for Gosford City Centre before further increasing the city’s residential footprint with development on the waterfront. The one multi-storey carpark shown on the concept plan is inadequate.

 

Recommendation 12

That Central Coast Council and the Greater Cities Commission lead with a substantive social infrastructure project as their next priority for Gosford City. This may be a fast-tracking of the regional library, reinstatement of the cultural precinct in Mann St or master planning for a new waterfront cultural precinct including a performing arts centre. Leading with social infrastructure will build community and investment confidence in Gosford.