CCBR Business Review

14 C E N T R A L CO A S T CO U N C I L N E W S Council proceeds withGosford Regional Library Central Coast Council is seeking Expressions of Interest for the construction of a new Gosford Regional Library. With the site now established and the development application under assessment by the NSW Department of Planning, works are expected to commence mid-year, with completion expected to be May 2024. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the new Regional Library will be the first of its kind for the Central Coast and will offer an iconic building in the heart of the Gosford Central Business District, where the com- munity can connect, create and collaborate. Funding for the project comes from: Gosford Council Special Rate Variation $8.1m Developer Contributions $8.5m Federal Government funds $7.0m Proceeds sale of ‘Kibbbleplex’ building $4.1m Total $27.7m “This new library, to be over four spacious levels and costing $27.7 million, is a truly modern facility offering more than essen- tial books and literacy. It also will be very much the heart of an active and connected community, with spaces for children, for study and focus, dedicated meeting rooms, function space, innovation areas for creative work and much more,” Mr Hart said. “It is important to note that this project is already fully funded and secured, and would not be possible without the commit- ment from the Federal Government, as well as from the local community who helped pay for the library over many years through the former Gosford City Council’s special rate levy.” Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks MP said the project will provide improved library facilities and up to date technology for our local community. “It will also provide an economic boost to our region, supporting around 200 FTE jobs during the construction with a further 35 FTE ongoing roles.” Architect’s image of proposed Gosford Regional Library Council has commenced construction to transform the Visitor Information Centre at The Entrance with a budg- eted cost of $2,474,237. Council says that the exciting mul- tipurpose facility will deliver the com- munity an interactive visitor centre, new and modern amenities including 24/7 adult accessible change facility and event toilets, improved layout and decking, a dedicated space for local makers and creators, a bookable func- tion area and a purpose-built green- room. Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said the upgrade has been designed to provide an interactive facil- ity and accessible amenities for locals and visitors to enjoy. “The Entrance is one of the Coast’s most popular tourist destinations and this project creates an interactive space to better educate and inform visitors about all there is to do and see throughout the region,” Ms Cowley said. Central Coast Council will start reme- diation work on Kibble Park Gosford shortly as part of the Kibble Park Place Plan identified that opportunities for this key central Gosford open space, including making it more accessible, safe and vibrant,” Council Administrator Rik Hart said there had been community discus- sion about the future of the fountain in Kibble Park, which has not oper- ated since 2016. “An assessment of the cost to refur- bish the fountain and surrounding degraded area revealed it would not provide good value to the community or use of ratepayers’ money,” he said. “By removing the fountain and lev- elling this space, it will make it more accessible and usable for events and community activities. “Council will be running a com- munity forum on public art in June and will be inviting members of the community to be part of a public art reference group.” Visitor Information Centre renewal and upgrade to cost $2.5 million Council set to start remediation works in Kibble Park Gosford Central Coast Council has placed the Draft Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan masterplan on public exhibition after being deferred in April 2020 due to concerns about the location and width of a biodiver- sity corridor. The Structure Plan will set a coherent framework for development, facilitating the future growth and prosperity of the area, and will identify: • Appropriate development footprints for new residential and employment land, and any relevant staging requirements; and • Appropriate transport, environmental and open space networks to cater for expected population growth. It will be an important step in the implementation of the directions of the NSW Governments Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 (CCRP) and will set the direc- tion for detailed planning instruments including Local Government Plans (LEPs) and Development Control Plans (DCPs), as well as higher level planning tools such as Masterplans and Public Domain Plans It comes at the same time that the Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council has applied to the Department of Planning to rezone land located on the northern side of the Pacific Highway, about 300m north east of the intersection with Elizabeth Bay Drive that would see 600 homes built on the 55Ha site. The Plan establishes a 20-year framework to guide the future growth of the study area from 8,407 people to approximately 15,000 people, over a 20 year period that addresses housing and employment land supply, infrastructure provision, ecology, traffic and transport. Public to comment on Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW MAY 2022