Chamber wants consultation on Umina town centre

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has asked to be consulted on the proposed Umina Beach CBD Structure Plan which forms part of the exhibition documents under the Draft Gosford Local Environmental Plan.

Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales said it was consulted several years ago by senior planning staff at Gosford Council and welcomed a step forward in the development of the Umina Beach town centre.

"The Draft Gosford Development Control Plan includes a specific chapter for the Umina Village Centre Expansion Area - Structure Plan which incorporates many of the suggestions put forward by the chamber in the early discussions," Mr Wales said.

"This includes the extension of the commercial zones to Wellington St which now forms part of the new draft planning instrument.

"Business in Umina Beach has significantly improved with the opening of Woolworths and the current upgrading of the BiLo store.

"It is now timely that the council starts to accelerate discussions on future improvements to the planning and design controls in the town centre so that property owners and developers can maximize outcomes in the future.

"Even though staff are still working through the submissions following the advertising of the Draft LEP, the chamber is encouraging council to instigate discussions on the future of Umina Beach as soon as possible.

"However, the chamber is concerned that the recent resurgence of the Umina shopping strip is having a significant impact on retail trade in Woy Woy

"It is our view that Council should also enter into discussions with the business community on an appropriate structure plan for the Woy Woy CBD.

"As a major commercial hub, we cannot afford to neglect the needs of the town centre. Planning and design frameworks should reviewed so that ideas can be fleshed out to revitalise the old Woy Woy town centre.

"It is also important to re-examine ways of connecting Deepwater Plaza and businesses in Blackwall Rd so that we don't end up with a two speed local economy.

"The chamber is also of the view that council should be reviewing traffic management in Blackwall Rd and possibly the re-instatement of the right turn movement from Blackwall Rd into Brisbane Water Drive/Railway St."

Mr Wales said the chamber would initiate discussions with Gosford council with the view to arrange early meetings regarding the Umina Beach Centre Expansion Area.

Press release, 16 Jul 2010 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce