CCBR Business Review

About the Central Coast The Central Coast is a unique region, unique for a number of reasons: • As a region it comprises one Local Government Area – Central Coast Council. It is the only region in NSW that is administered by one council, • The Central Coast covers an area of 1,681 square kilometres making it one of the largest urban local government areas in NSW, • Gosford CBD is the Capital of the Central Coast, • The region is located between Sydney and Newcastle. (Sydney CBD to Tuggerah is 90 km – Tuggerah to Newcastle is 91 km) • While it is regarded by some government departments as a region in its own right it is also regarded as part of Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area by other government departments, Business Centres Gosford CBD and waterfront • It had an estimated resident population of 339,196 as of 30 June 2017, • Total number of residents in employment as of 30 June 2015 was 155,839 as of 30 June 2017, • Gross Regional Product (equivalent to GDP) in 2017 was $13,718 million, • The region has a high commuter population estimated at around 44,000 people • Individual income levels are among the lowest in NSW. However, according to the 2015 Census there is a growing divergence in income levels with some areas of the region showing considerable increases in income levels. • The major industry sectors by number of people employed are: Health Care and Social Assistance, Retail, Construction and Manufacturing. Each of the twelve Business Centres has its own economic dynamics that have developed over the years to service the population as it has grown and expanded throughout the region. Gosford being the Regional Capital is largely service driven while Erina is retail driven although in recent years a strong medical and health service sector has emerged. Tuggerah is unique in that it is both retail, service and industrially driven. At the same time Ettalong Beach, The Entrance and Terrigal are tourism driven. This section has been compiled to show in some detail the unique economic drivers of each Business Centre. The Central Coast is made up of just over 100 suburbs serviced by twelve Business Centres. Many of these suburbs would best be described as villages or towns and only some are serviced by retail precincts. Retail precincts vary in size from a few shops to substantial retail strips like Killarney Vale, Budgewoi while others are anchored by shopping centres. The region has two region shopping centres: Erina Fair and Westfield Tuggerah and two sub-regional shopping centres: Deepwater Plaza Woy Woy and Lake Haven Shopping Centre. The Central Coast Ultimate Guide to Business 2018-19 30