Senior leaders from the Greater Cities Commission gathered on the Central Coast recently for a meeting of the Commission’s Strategic Planning and Finance and Governance Committees, highlighting the region’s important role in the development of Australia’s first global multi-city region.
City Commissioner for the Central Coast City Robyn Parker noted the importance of connecting the Commission’s senior leaders to local partners and communities to ensure the Central Coast’s needs and aspirations were front and centre of the Region and City Plans.
“Having our leadership team here provides an opportunity for the priorities of the Central Coast to be at the forefront for the soon to be updated Region and City Plans,” she said.
“In the conversations I’ve had since becoming City Commissioner, people have talked to me about where housing for the future will be located, the need for a variety of housing around transport hubs like rail stations (and) making sure services like schools and hospitals are easy to access for everyone.
“The Commission is involved in planning for key infrastructure projects to benefit Central Coast communities, such as improved transport connections, digital connectivity and investment into economic precincts, which will give people more job options (so they) can spend more time with their families.”
Parker said the decision to meet on the Central Coast reflected the Commission’s commitment to ongoing engagement with communities in the lead-up to the release of the draft Region and City Plans later this year.
The Greater Cities Commission’s staff joined the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) on July 1 to bolster planning outcomes.
Commissioners will remain in place to provide independent advice to the NSW Government and the responsibilities for strategic planning and economic precincts across the Six Cities Region remain the same.
“In this new phase, the work to make the Central Coast the best place to live, work and play as part of a global multi-city region continues,” Parker said.
“As part of the Six Cities Region, the Central Coast is perfectly positioned to create more high-value jobs close to where people live, through the new University of Newcastle campus and our existing strengths in food manufacturing and innovation.”
Source:
Six Cities Commission