A document calling for strong purpose-driven local leadership is on the agenda for adoption by the local leadership of Central Coast Council.
The document, Blueprint Central Coast, put together by a group calling itself the Central Coast Leadership Forum, was first presented to Council’s economic committee late last year.
It has a board that includes a representative from the John Singleton Group; from Business NSW; Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA Central Coast) and Regional Development Australia.
The 52-page glossy brochure includes a message from Mayor Lawrie McKinna; Premier Chris Minns and Patron John Singleton.
Now Mayor McKinna will put the Blueprint to the March 28 council meeting with eight recommendations about it.
The first is that Council writes to the Leadership Forum, acknowledging and supporting the work they have done to develop Blueprint Central Coast.
The other seven points that he wants councillors to adopt are all advancing as strategic priorities parts of the blueprint about Gosford and its waterfront.
But the report is about much more than just Gosford waterfront.
The key message highlights the entire Coast’s Potential.
First the challenges are discussed.
These include an ageing population; the lack of strong leadership; council’s approach to regulations; an education gap and more.
On leadership:
”In a competitive environment for finite public resources, the absence of strong, purpose-driven local leadership has reduced the Central Coast’s ability to secure its fair share of investment and policy support. This has left the region at risk of falling behind others that present more coordinated and compelling cases for funding and policy attention.”
On Public Funds:
‘’Over-reliance on public funds increases financial risk and limits the region’s capacity for scalable growth. Achieving a sustainable and resilient economic future for the Central Coast will require greater investment and partnership between government and private sector stakeholders. This collaboration will be essential to increasing research, investment and unlocking new growth opportunities.’’
On the ageing population:
There are some 80,000 residents aged 65 years or older, and by 2040, people aged 80 years will constitute about one in ten of the population.
‘’As the region’s ageing population places pressure on health and social services, the Central Coast Local Health District projects a need for an additional 5,000 health workers over the next five years to meet rising demand. Housing availability remains a significant barrier to recruiting and retaining these essential workers.’’
It also talks about the education gap in younger residents: “As of 2021, just 17.9% of residents aged 15 and over held a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 27.8% across NSW,’’ the Blueprint states.
On Council:
‘’Moving forward, the Central Coast Council requires a cultural reset which fundamentally changes their approach to regulation and planning. Specifically, stakeholders called for Council to adopt a more innovative and project-enabling posture; one which retains the region’s unique environmental and lifestyle assets, but which also reflects the Central Coast’s new economic realities and growth potential.’’
The Blueprint suggests the Coast needs a popularly elected mayor to have someone with the authority to speak for the community, the stability to deliver long term projects, and the standing to partner effectively with other levels of government.
On Tourism:
Structural limitations include a limited supply of high end accommodation, a lack of standout attractions and weak transport connectivity.
“Despite its beaches, bushland and family friendly lifestyle, the region has struggled to translate natural appeal into longer stays or richer tourism experiences. This is evident in the 2024 visitor profile, which indicates that the vast majority of visitors come for short stay day trips, and although domestic day trip expenditure continues to increase, growth is concentrated in lower value activities.’’
The Blueprint endorses the State Government’s Central Coast Regional Plan 2041 released in October 2022, but says what is needed is the governance and commitment to deliver it.
It gives a list of actions that need to be taken.
‘’A critical first step is the creation of Place Delivery Groups, joint teams of Council and NSW Government agencies with a clear mandate to:
– Resolve planning and infrastructure bottlenecks
– Prioritise catalytic projects in growth centres
– Accelerate housing and employment opportunities
– Ensure delivery is aligned with the Plan’s objectives,” the Blueprint states.
It wants the Coast to seize the opportunity to shape a more connected, prosperous, and liveable future, turning the Regional Plan 2041 from promise into action.
If the Mayoral Minute gets adopted, Council’s next steps will be;
1/to seek support from government and major institutions to establish a Gosford Renewal Partnership and then
2/ Council will lead an implementation taskforce and
3/ establish a Stakeholder Advisory Group and
4/ apply for funding and
5/ establish a Council Major Projects Team, and
6/ outline a draft Implementation Plan including
7/ identifying resourcing that will be required to start high priority projects in 2026-2027.
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