Community challenge to shape Central Coast future

The Department of Planning and Environment have released a discussion paper entitled ‘Your Future Central Coast’, which aims to start a debate with the community about the region’s future.

Your Future Central Coast raises key issues facing the region into the future and asks the community for their ideas on how to:

• Build more houses to meet future demand
• Deliver more jobs to meet the region’s needs
• Improve rail and road access to the region
• Balance growth with the protection of the region’s environment
• Protect the lifestyle residents and visitors enjoy.

Minister for Planning Pru Goward said the discussion paper forms part of a long-term vision for the region seeking to identify where housing, commercial activity and infrastructure will be needed in coming decades. Minister Goward also highlighted population projections that over the next 15 years the Central Coast region will need more than 30,000 extra jobs.

“The Central Coast is a great place to live and raise a family, but there are real challenges we need to address if the community is to harness the region’s full potential,” Ms Goward said.

“Your Future Central Coastis the first step in this discussion and we want to hear from everyone – not just the usual stakeholder groups, but the mums and dads who catch the train to work every day and the small and large business owners that are the economic lifeblood of the community.”

Residents can provide feedback on the discussion paper by submitting ideas online and via social media or taking part in community surveys.

Image courtesy NSW Roads and Maritime Services