CCBR Business Review

6 EARLY APRIL 2018 saw Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts in Gosford to announce the first recommen- dations for the complete revitalisation of the Gosford City Centre as the capital city of the Central Coast with a focus on Kibble Park and surrounds. “Gosford City Centre will become a sig- nificant hub which will greatly improve the city’s commercial, retail and cultural life,” he said. Mr Roberts also announced funding of $42 million for underground infrastructure (sewerage, water and drainage) and $10 million to upgrade Kibble Park and Leagues Club Park. The plan for Gosford was set out in the first of a series of Government Architect rec- ommendations for the revitalisation of the city’s centre and were released for public exhibition by the Minister. “As the civic heart of Gosford City Centre, it is entirely appropriate that our first focus is on Kibble Park. Enhancing Kibble Park and its surrounds is critical to improving the city’s connectivity and drawing people back into a desirable, attractive and functional city centre,” said Minister Roberts. Subsequently, two further reports were released to focus on complementing the corridor between Gosford Hospital to the train station in the north and the Waterfront precinct in the south. Mr Roberts also announced the appoint- ment of Michael Cassel, the man who has driven the revitalisation of Newcastle, to take charge of the revitalisation of Gosford City. “I am confident that the efforts and plans of the NSW Government will enhance Gosford, making it a most desirable place to live, work and visit,” Mr Roberts said. Commenting on the plans NSW Government Architect, Peter Poulet, said: “It is crucial that the first stage of the pro- ject to revitalise Gosford City Centre con- centrates on its very heart as the region’s capital. Our focus is to enhance Kibble Park to create a significant area for people to gather and celebrate – a centre that is both a green space and a place of civic and com- mercial activity in the heart of the city.” Urban Design Implementation Framework An Urban Design Implementation Framework (UDIF) has been put in place to ensure a mechanism that will deliver the Revitalisation of Gosford. It will focus on the realistic implementation and delivery of the Urban Design Framework that outlines the design strategies for a Gosford of the future. City of Gosford Design Advisory Panel To provide design guidance for major projects the government has established the City of Gosford Design Advisory Panel made up of high calibre planning and design minds to ensure design excellence. The Panel will comprise NSW Government Architect Peter Poulet as chair, Coordinator General for the Central Coast Lee Shearer as co-chair, NSW Chief Planner Gary White and two additional panel members drawn from an established group of practitioners. Identifying development opportunities While the Department of Planning and Environment is coordinating the delivery of the Plan to revitalise Gosford City Centre, the Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation, under the leadership of Michael Cassel, has been tasked to identify development opportunities to drive eco- nomic growth in the region. Commenting on Mr Cassel’s appoint- ment Mr Roberts said that Michael Cassel is a ‘mover and shaker’ who, in his cur- rent role as CEO of Hunter Development Corporation, has been instrumental in lead- ing change and transforming Newcastle into a vibrant, dynamic and thriving hub of the Hunter Region. Mr Cassel will be working with Coordinator General for the Central Coast Lee Shearer, Central Coast Council and many other stakeholders to help bring the bold vision for the region and its capital to life. M A J O R S T O R I E S Minister delivers on plan to revitalise Gosford City Gosford City Centre with Gosford Hospital in foreground Gosford CIty Centre SEPP Boundary CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW YEARBOOK 2018