Warnervale is the fastest growing district on the Central Coast, and at its September 28 meeting, Council considered two rezoning proposals together with a local infrastructure plan to support 1,200 new residential lots.
Ensuring that infrastructure capacity is aligned with sustainable growth is a key priority identified under Council’s recently adopted Interim Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).
The land parcels at Wadalba East (also called Precinct 2A and 2B) and Warnervale (Virginia Rd) were identified initially in the Wyong Structure Plan, and then in 2013, as part of the Potential New Homes Program by the NSW Government to contribute housing that is affordable and to support infrastructure delivery at “no additional cost to government”.
A rezoning proposal for Precinct 2A and 2B was endorsed at Council’s meeting on Monday night, with the proposal for Virginia Rd deferred for a site visit by councillors.
It will be reported back to the next Council meeting.
As well as providing for growth, the review of the infrastructure plan for Warnervale provides an opportunity for a simpler plan, updated infrastructure and contribution rates.
“Developer” plans, or more accurately called Local Infrastructure Contribution Plans, are for works provided locally and delivered by either Council or a developer.
Similarly, State Infrastructure Contributions may also be collected by the NSW Government and these are for works provided regionally, for example, an upgrade to a section of the M1 Motorway.
Mayor Lisa Matthews said the proposed Warnervale Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan made it clear where responsibility for delivery of infrastructure laid and ensured that it was delivered for the growing community.
“At the local level, Council proposed to deliver a range of essential services for the growing Warnervale area, including three new road intersections, a new public reserve and new stormwater infrastructure,” the Mayor said.
“Key state infrastructure works in Warnervale, such as the new link road, and upgrades to Sparks Rd and the Pacific Highway will be the responsibility of the state government.
“Under the plan, a Warnervale indoor recreation centre is intended but can only be partially funded under the local plan, so we will be seeking grant funding support from the state and federal governments to deliver this local and regionally significant infrastructure.
“This is a really exciting plan and with all levels of government working together, and with contributions from developers, we can create a vibrant and sustainable Warnervale now and for the future,” the Mayor said.
Local and state works can be financed primarily by contributions from developers payable in stages as the land is subdivided.
However, the planning process has flexibility and allows for the works to be delivered directly by developers via formal agreements with Council and/or State Government.
The amended draft Warnervale District Contribution Plan will be available for community consultation over 28 days on Council’s website starting in October.
Following exhibition, a further report will be provided to Council on the outcome of public exhibition.
The Warnervale district is the first in a series of infrastructure plan reviews being undertaken by Council over the next 6 to 12 months, and existing infrastructure plans are available on Council’s website.
Source:
Media release, Sep 29
Central Coast Council