CHAMBER SETS PRIORITIES FOR 2024
The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has today outlined its priorities for 2024 after a successful Christmas period that saw thousands of visitors flock to the Peninsula over the Christmas break.
“Its been a great Christmas for retailers particularly in the accommodation and restaurant sector”, said Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Wales.
“However, there is much to do this coming year which will largely depend on the assistance of Central Coast Council”.
“Our major ongoing concern is ensuring that more resources and funding are directed to upgrading our local roads where over 80% are have no kerb and gutter, drainage or footpaths”, said Matthew Wales.
“We will continue to liaise with Council and encourage them to set a program of works based on our priority list for local roads so that these can be assessed, costed and added to Council’s Forward Plan of Works”.
“Top of our list is the full reconstruction of Rabaul Street in Umina Beach which serves as an important link between the south Umina Beach residential area and Woy Woy Road for traffic accessing the freeway”, said Matthew Wales.
“The road is in an appalling state with non-existent drainage and dangerous footpaths yet serves as a major bus route particularly for school children accessing St Johns Primary and Brisbane Water Secondary College”.
“Also on our priority list is the review of the Woy Woy town centre planning and management controls”, said Matthew Wales.
“We have been promised for several years that the Place Plan process would be undertaken by the Council which will look to review the planning controls and management processes for the town centre so as to improve civic outcomes”.
“The Council has already completed the Economic Assessment and the Traffic Management Assessment but has further delayed the ongoing process”, said Matthew Wales.
“Woy Woy is in desperate need of a major planning revamp and we will be placing pressure on Central Coast Council to progress the review”.
“Our third priority is improvements to town centre maintenance where we have been working closely with Council for the upgrading of landscaping, street furniture, seating, lighting and cleaning processes”, said Matthew Wales.
“Already the Council has committed to substantive works in the Ettalong Beach town centre which will progress this year and we are looking to similar commitments to the Umina Beach retail centre”.
“At a Federal level, our main priority is ensuring that the reconstruction of the Rawson Road/Ocean Beach Road intersection progresses with recent confirmation from Federal Member for Robertson, Dr. Gordon Reid that the $32M in Federal funding is guaranteed although works are not now due to start until 2025”, said Matthew Wales.
“It will be a busy year and the Chamber’s priority is to continue to work with all levels of government to ensure that these projects progress and deliver economic and social benefits to our local community”.