600 New Workers in Gosford to be a Game Changer

Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks has delivered the latest update on the Commonwealth Agency that will occupy the new office block to be constructed in Gosford CBD.

Ms Wicks has announced that 500 new jobs for the Central Coast would be from the Australian Tax Offi ce (ATO), with an additional 100 jobs from other complementary C o m m o n w e a l t h Government agencies that would refl ect the right skill mix for the region. “Importantly, the ATO will offer career pathways for staff, allowing people on the Central Coast to have fulfi lling careers without having to commute for hours a day to work in Sydney or Newcastle,” Ms Wicks said. “Delivering a Commonwealth Agency into the heart of Gosford was the vital fi rst commitment in the Coalition’s positive Growth Plan for the Central Coast that we took to the people of the Coast at the last election. “It is an important commitment, because Gosford has great potential to be a thriving capital city for our region. “It starts with generating more local job opportunities that have signifi cant direct and fl ow-on benefi ts, and already we’ve seen the community embracing this project as a game-changer for our region. “Thanks to the Federal Coalition Government, we’re already on track. “We have doubled the number of jobs we committed to before the election to 600 jobs – 600 new, professional jobs for Gosford. “We have set a target date for completion as the end of 2017, and announced that the Gosford offi ce will be known as a purpose-built Centre of Excellence. “These 600 jobs will be a game-changer for the Central Coast, because of the economic multiplier effect it will have on our region. “Firstly, there are the new jobs generated in the construction phase with builders, carpenters, brick layers, painters and plumbers. “Then, if each of those 600 new workers in Gosford eat-out each day, that’s hundreds more coffees every morning that need to be made, or for those people like me who drink a second cup in the morning – that’s the potential for thousands more coffees to be made in cafés every week. “Cafes and restaurants, newsagents and accountants, hairdressers and retail outlets will all benefi t from more people working every day in the Gosford CBD. “Young people looking for work will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the university graduate programs that the ATO provides. “With tens of thousands of commuters on the Central Coast, the ATO Centre of Excellence in Gosford means more local residents will have the opportunity to live, work and raise a family in the most beautiful region in Australia,” said Ms Wicks.

Media release,
26 Nov 2014
Tim Sowden, Office of
Lucy Wicks MP