EDITORIAL
The recent pushback from Central Coast Council’s Administrator and staff against proposed new State Government development plans around key transport hubs like Gosford, Tuggerah, and Wyong highlights the imbalance in the region’s urban planning landscape.
These plans, centred on what the State calls Transport Oriented Development (TOD), aim to densify housing around transit nodes to enhance accessibility and reduce reliance on cars.
However, the Council’s administration has concerns about the readiness and suitability of these areas for such intensified development, raising important questions about the balance between growth and sustainability.
Of course, as the Central Coast continues to grow, the need for housing near transport infrastructure becomes increasingly obvious.
The TOD projects on the surface present an opportunity to create vibrant, connected communities where residents can enjoy the convenience of nearby amenities and transportation.
Yet, the implementation of these plans must be carefully managed to ensure that developments are in harmony with the existing developments, the community fabric and its infrastructure capabilities.
The Council’s call for clear criteria in applying TOD reforms is a sensible approach to safeguard against potential pitfalls.
It underscores the importance of strategic planning that considers not just the immediate benefits of increased density but also the long-term impacts on local services, traffic congestion and community character.
Moreover, the ongoing dialogue between the State Government and the Council must reflect on the complexities of urban development in areas already experiencing rapid growth.
The fact that Administrator Rik Hart revealed that Gosford alone already has 18,000 existing approvals for homes that will accommodate 30-40,000 people is stunning in its magnitude.
It emphasises the need for collaboration and thoughtful consideration of local contexts in shaping policies that guide such significant transformations.
The goal should be to accommodate growth and foster communities where people can thrive.
Ensuring that developments around transport hubs enhance rather than detract from the quality of life will be key to the Central Coast’s future as a vibrant, sustainable region.
David Abrahams – Managing Editor
how do you cope with the overflow
We do not have the infrastructure to have this amount of buildings put on the central coast.some of the ares still have no kerb and guttering or footpaths .it still has not fixed the areas which were damaged during the last storms..we have also got so many granny flats…in back lanes that also adds to the problems. Legal or not.
Care must be taken to avoid the destruction of the natural environment and a pleasant place of comfort for the local inhabitants.
We must plan ahead so that we do not simply create a dormitory suburb in Gosford that resembles all the faults that Sydney has of traffic congestion,parking, access to transport,overcrowding,hot CBD in summer and freezing in winter due to concrete and glass in our over heated streets and blocking of sunshine on wet and windy days due to climate extremes. Do not let the selfish greed of developers destroy our beauty and life style. People are leaving Sydney to avoid just that.
28 story developments are a joke and way out of place for gosford.
why ask residents to comment when developments have already been. it is insulting.
Good luck trying to drive anywhere with 60 thousand new residents in Gosford 🚗 A train to Sydney or an extra bus or two isn’t going to help much with thst sort of growth. Time to think outside the square ⬛️ 🤔
and where will the we 20,000 to 30,000 extra cars go?
A lot of NIMBYs in this comment section.
Bring on the development. Can’t wait for a thriving Gosford. Much better than derelict sites and an empty main road which it currently is.
The infrastructure won’t cope with all the influx and this needs to be addressed.
A LOT more trains, buses etc need to be added. The older shopping centres such as Gosford & Wyoming also need overhauling. The owners of these centres need to step up!
Also more leniency & quicker approval systems should be put in place for simple residential developments such as renovations. There are a LOT of old daggy homes on the Coast, why not encourage people to modernise these, make them bigger if required and more liveable. The current processes put so many off.
I think Gosford needed a wrecking ball, and these new quality developments will revitalise Gosford. It is the perfect location for growth. But infrastructure needs to be considered for sure. I think it’s going to take some time for the old tired Gosford with failing businesses to catch up to be a bustling quality city. But change is happening