Have your say on future of Ourimbah land

Central Coast Activists are urging residents to have their say on the future of a block of land at Ourimbah amid fears it could be turned into a carpark.

The block, on the corner of Jacques St and Glen Rd, was once home to a WWII Nissen Hut, which was demolished in 2023 despite a community drive to save it.

Donated to The University of Newcastle in the 1992 by the Ourimbah School of Arts, the hut was originally to have been dismantled and re-erected on an alternative site at the Ourimbah campus, but the university deemed the building unsalvageable after dismantling began in 2023.

Once the hut was gone, the community rallied again for assurances that the site would remain in public hands, with the University eventually donating it back to Council.

Council is now calling for submissions on the future of the site, with feedback welcomed until August 25.

Council has developed a design which features a layered and flexible place to function as a pocket park for informal children’s play and community gatherings.

The design includes open space, a variety of trees and shrubs, two wheelchair-accessible public toilets, a covered seating area with interpretive heritage elements and a water drinking fountain.

But the Activists say they have been made aware of a move for the land to be converted to a carpark and are encouraging members of the community to rally to see it preserved as public green space.

Give your feedback by August 25 at yourvoiceourcoast.com