Central Coast Council is inviting community feedback until Wednesday, July 23, on the Draft Conservation Management Plan for Burns Place in Gosford.
The plan outlines best practice heritage conservation and ensures the ongoing preservation of the park now and into the future.
Located on Mann St opposite Gosford railway station, Burns Place was heritage listed in 2004.
The space holds strong community value as it was publicly funded to serve as a grand welcoming link between the railway station and the town centre with key features such as stone edging, a memorial fountain, and mature plantings.
Council Environment and Planning Director Luke Nicholls said the plan ensured the ongoing preservation of Burns Place and outlined best practice heritage conservation.
“As part of Council’s Safer Cities: Her Way pilot program, 86% of people surveyed felt unsafe in Burns Place due to low lighting, overgrown vegetation, and poor wayfinding,” he said.
“Given its heritage significance, it is vital a Conservation Management Plan is developed to guide the maintenance and management of the park and ensure its heritage value is preserved for future generations before safety concerns can be addressed.
“The plan will also guide the short and long-term decision making for works, including maintenance, repairs, conservation efforts, alterations and additions or new development.”
Once adopted, the Conservation Management Plan will streamline heritage approval for any works to the park and provide a basis for future grant applications.
Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said with its striking stone gateway arch, the park was a reminder of the past when it represented the grand entrance to the city.
“Having a Conservation Management Plan for Burns Place will outline how we can manage changes over time to ensure the significance is retained and the community feels safe in the space,” he said.
A pop-up stall will be held on-site for the community to chat with Council’s Heritage Officers from 11am-2pm on Thursday, July 10.
Feedback received during the public exhibition period will directly inform the final plan to be considered for adoption by Council.
For more information and to have your say, search ‘Burns Place’ at yourvoiceourcoast.com
Maybe small cafés and bars could be set up along the pathway in Burns Place to activate the park. At the moment, although it’s well maintained, it feels dark and underutilised.
I walked through here the other night and was surprised at the lack of any lighting. The area stuck of urine and was littered with rubbish, other waste and an abandoned shopping trolley. Nothing to warrant being proud of worthy of conserving and certainly not the “gateway” I would want/expect for Gosford. Fix it up or get rid of it.
Turn the little brick building into a cafe.
There should be some attractive package offering to the businesses, such as restaurants, etc. It is like a dead city after 5pm at the moment.
It would be great see an upgrade of lighting in the park so it does feel safe. To keep what’s left of heritage listed places in the town is important. Not many have been kept.
the park should be closed down due to safety concerns for the public
If safety is a concern then lighting is not up negotiations it’s a must. It may also it may also provide a means for the park to be better utilised for its original purpose and or enable the area to be utilised for other community activities. It has been used for anti social/ criminal activities for 40+ years.
Upgrades to lighting in a tasteful and in keeping with the era of the park can only help the community have a sense of pride in itself and its past. This also makes consultation a must.