Central Coast Council invites community input on plan for Gosford to become major waterfront city

Central Coast Council is inviting community consultation on a new concept plan to reimagine Gosford’s waterfront as not only a major opportunity for the city’s renewal but also for Gosford City to join the great waterfronts of the world.

The Gosford Waterfront concept plan shows a Gosford City reimagined to spark social activity and interaction and put the Central Coast on the map, welcoming visitors to the region, delivering greater connectivity, attracting culturally significant events, and enhanced living.

Located on Brisbane Water, Gosford is surrounded by nature, boasting captivating vistas along the banks for cultural placemaking where people want to live, work, play and learn, with promising opportunities for transport, maritime, and the tourism industries as a destination for visitors and locals to venture with much to discover.

Council notes that “the key to making sure the Central Coast thrives is for Gosford City to thrive. An attractive waterfront location, supporting recreation, tourism, business and accommodation is central to making that happen.

“Engage in a plan for the city to build a waterfront that brings promise, and opportunity for everyone, supporting the growth of this great city for generations.

“With this vision, Gosford will join the great waterfronts of the world and sustainably support the region’s 2040 growth expectations.”

Council adds “for the Central Coast to thrive we need to fulfill the needs of everyone who lives here. Creating multi-use, attractive, lively public spaces will see people of all ages and backgrounds want to gather, be part of the community and keep coming back well into the future.

“In this vision, Gosford meets all the qualities of the great waterfronts of the world that are resilient, connected, vibrant, lively, and where local identity is showcased.”

Why the time is right

Several major government and non-government projects proposed to revitalise Gosford City are working their way through the planning process.

• Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 - Gosford is the region’s principal city, with a key priority to undertake and integrate precinct planning for the waterfront, arts and entertainment, city core, railway and hospital precinct.

• Greater Cities Plan - Gosford is the principal city and centre of innovation on the Central Coast.

• Other investment - Gosford is the chosen city for the proposed new university and TAFE campuses, upgrades to the stadium, development of the regional library, and the NSW Government’s faster train proposal.

• NSW Government’s Urban Design Framework for Gosford - to create three distinct but linked places including a ‘civic heart’, ‘city north’ and ‘city south’. This project supports the creation of this vision for a revitalised Gosford CBD.

The vision for the Gosford waterfront being presented through this concept plan is set to undergo several consultation phases, Council aims to create a shared vision for the waterfront that supports NSW Government investment to bring that vision to fruition.

Have Your Say from 18th October 2022