The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has outlined its priorities for 2024 after a successful Christmas period that saw thousands of visitors flock to the area over the Christmas break.
“It’s been a great Christmas for retailers, particularly in the accommodation and restaurant sector,” Chamber President Matthew Wales said.
“However, there is much to do this coming year, which will largely depend on the assistance of Central Coast Council.
“Our major ongoing concern is ensuring that more resources and funding are directed to upgrading our local roads, as more than 80 per cent do not have kerb and gutter, drainage or footpaths.
“We will continue to liaise with Council and encourage them to set a program of works based on our priority list for local roads so that these can be assessed, costed and added to Council’s Forward Plan of Works.”
Wales said top of the list was Rabaul Ave at Umina Beach, which served as an important link between the south Umina Beach residential area and Woy Woy Rd for traffic accessing the freeway.
“The road is in an appalling state with non-existent drainage and dangerous footpaths, yet serves as a major bus route particularly for school children accessing St Johns Primary and Brisbane Water Secondary College,” he said.
“Also on our priority list is the review of the Woy Woy town centre planning and management controls.
“We have been promised for several years that the Place Plan process would be undertaken by the Council which will look to review the planning controls and management processes for the town centre so as to improve civic outcomes.
“The Council has already completed the Economic Assessment and the Traffic Management Assessment but has further delayed the ongoing process.
“Woy Woy is in desperate need of a major planning revamp and we will be placing pressure on Central Coast Council to progress the review.”
Wales said another priority would be improvements to town centre maintenance.
“We have been working closely with Council for the upgrading of landscaping, street furniture, seating, lighting and cleaning processes,” he said.
“Already the Council has committed to substantive works in the Ettalong Beach town centre which will progress this year and we are looking to similar commitments for the Umina Beach retail centre.
“At a federal level, our main priority is ensuring that the reconstruction of the Rawson Rd/Ocean Beach Rd intersection progresses with recent confirmation from Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid that the $32M in federal funding is guaranteed although works are not now due to start until 2025.
“It will be a busy year and the Chamber’s priority is to continue to work with all levels of government to ensure that these projects progress and deliver economic and social benefits to our local community.”