UDIA welcomes the release of the NSW Government’s Central Coast Strategy for Economic Growth and is pleased that the Strategy recognises the urgent need to unlock employment lands and accelerate employment precincts.
UDIA says its members are reporting unprecedented demand for employment land and new housing in the region, and the actions outlined in the Strategy are needed now to seize the current opportunities and deliver more jobs for more Central Coast residents.
The increased focus on investment in key employment areas outlined in the Central Coast Strategy is critical, including the land in the Northern Growth Corridor around the Central Coast Airport and Wyong; sites within the Southern Growth Corridor at Somersby and Mount Penang; and the Munmorah Power Station site.
Three keys to the success of the Strategy will be improving planning processes to speed up assessments, delivering enabling infrastructure, and completing the Central Coast Strategic Conservation Plan (Biocertification) for these employment areas. Focusing on these three vital elements will provide the certainty industry needs to deliver the Coast’s economic growth and achieve good outcomes, both for jobs and biodiversity.
UDIA also welcomes the release of the draft Central Coast Regional Transport Plan, and we look forward to reviewing that document and making a submission.
UDIA has done the work to show government where it can get the best bang for its buck in delivering the transport and other enabling infrastructure needed to unlock economic growth on the Central Coast.
Our Central Coast Building Blocks report shows where infrastructure investments will deliver the most jobs.
The question remains whether the NSW Government will support land to be fully utilised for its zoned purpose, and appropriately balance the land’s environmental, economic and social benefits for the Central Coast, by committing meaningful funding to deliver infrastructure and Biocertification for our employment lands.
Comments attributed to UDIA’s Central Coast Chapter Chair Caine King.
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Media Enquiries: Deanna Lane 0416 295 898 or dlane@udiansw.com.au