A new Gosford CBD Heritage Strategy, adopted by Central Coast Council at its meeting on December 9, will draw on the city’s industrial past and Aboriginal culture, using heritage interpretation, to change the perception of the CBD for residents and visitors.
There will be a renewed focus on heritage places and storytelling. Mayor Lisa Matthews said the new strategy, set to cost in excess of $800,000, would preserve the legacy of the Gosford CBD.
“The strategy positions Gosford at the forefront of innovative, creative and contemporary heritage interpretation and uses this to drive tourism, capacity building, and place based planning initiatives, ” Cr Matthews said.
More than 120 people participated in a face-to-face consultation while a further 38 submissions were made online during the public consultation period earlier in 2019, with the draft strategy amended in response.
Amendments include: the addition of more detailed information on the role of the strategy and its implementation; additional interpretation projects such as the Aboriginal Astronomy Light Installation; corrections to errors identified in the histories and stories; inclusion of additional information on local Aboriginal culture and traditions; and, increased interpretation within the south Mann St area.
Council’s CEO will now explore grant funding sources to help bring the strategy to life. Ten major projects are outlined in the strategy. Interpretative signage will be installed on the facades of heritage buildings, designed to encourage physical interaction, at a cost of $120,000.
Interactive interpretative signs will be installed as a small cluster in Kibble Park at an estimated cost of $25,000. Interpretative murals will feature in numerous locations to add colour and character to either specific or community places, at an estimated cost of $52,500.
Interpretative shopfront displays will activate Mann St at an estimated cost of $231,000. Painted shop awnings will also brighten Mann St at an estimated cost of $73,500. Viewing portal sign posts will evoke the history and heritage of Gosford through a contrast between past and present at an estimated cost of $30,000, and fountains around the city will be reinterpreted at an estimated cost of $200,000.
Lighting installations will be used to highlight the CBD and encourage overnight stays with costs to vary depending on location and complexity. More community festivals and events will help foster a sense of community with costs yet to be identified.
Source: Agenda item 3.5 Central Coast Council meeting, Dec 9