Regional plan proposes more flats for the Peninsula

Woy Woy, Umina and Ettalong have been listed as centres with potential for additional infill housing over the next 20 years in the NSW Government's Draft Central Coast Regional Plan.

Residential flat buildings were identified as the most viable type of housing in the area.

However, the draft plan acknowledged: "Demographic trends towards smaller household sizes and an ageing population highlight the need for greater housing diversity with good access to transport, health and other community services.

"Providing a variety of housing types and more affordable options are also important so that people can age in place and maintain their connections with social networks and family.

"The NSW Government has undertaken to work with local government to identify other suitable centres and locations for infill housing including centres on the Peninsula and to implement locally responsive affordable housing strategies," the draft plan said.

The housing policy is likely to be the element of the draft plan that will have the greatest impact on the Peninsula.

Otherwise, the 68-page draft plan's vision for, and impact on, the Peninsula were limited.

Woy Woy was given the status of a "town" in the draft regional plan and Umina and Ettalong were categorised as "other centres".

The Peninsula was represented as an "urban area".

It was not a regional economic corridor or a major centre.

The major growth corridors were identified as Somersby through to Gosford and Erina and from Tuggerah-Wyong to Warnervale.

Lion Island was mentioned as an "iconic landscape feature" along with the Hawkesbury River and Brisbane Water.

The "regional playground" at Umina was included in the draft plan's description of integrated and well-connected open space, sporting and recreation opportunities.

The draft plan made a commitment to investigate opportunities to grow and better connect walking and cycling transport networks including the shared path linking Woy Woy with Gosford.

The draft plan said Woy Woy and Umina had already been identified, and local strategies were already being implemented for both, because of their future growth potential.

"Revitalising local centres, providing more housing choice and increasing the quality and amenity of local neighbourhoods will increase the appeal of these places and enhance the region's lifestyle reputation," the draft report said.

The draft plan said the NSW Government would support the area's local council to prepare and implement local centre strategies and associated reviews of local environmental plans and development control plans.

The plan named the transport corridor between Woy Woy and Gosford as one that would be a focus of projects to improve transport and accessibility.

Tourism, particularly around the region's Aboriginal heritage and environment were another focal point of the draft plan but very little attention was paid to the Peninsula's potential in that area.

Ettalong was mentioned as a location for "more traditional tourism" on the Coast.

"The environment is the defining feature of this region and the draft plan identifies its high value environmental areas, including its water catchments, and outlines actions to protect these areas," the draft plan said but none of those actions related specifically to the Peninsula.

The draft plan outlined a long-term plan for the region, with a focus on growing the local economy, enhancing the community lifestyle, meeting demand for housing and protecting the iconic environment of the Central Coast.

The draft plan described the Central Coast as being at the centre of the state's fastest growing corridor from the northern edge of Sydney to Newcastle.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Mr Scot MacDonald said: "The consultation is essential for the Central Coast community to have its say.

"The Regional Plan will shape the Coast for the next 20 years.

"Councils will be bound by the framework of the final Plan."

The community can now make submissions until March 24 and can also provide feedback through an online survey and interactive map which are available on the NSW Planning and Environment website.

Draft Central Coast Regional Plan

Planning.nsw.gov.au/centralcoast

Reporter: Jackie Pearson