It literally came from nowhere, this suburb that has taken over from big brother Wyong in just a few short years.
It wasn’t so long ago that Tuggerah was just a few shops and a Maccas on the road between Gosford and Wyong, the oldest settlement in the area and the traditional hub of the old Wyong Shire.
Flash forward to 2020 and Tuggerah has an amazing history of rapid development and a glittering future. The Regional Sports Precinct has sprung up from an area originally planned to be a power station and the struggling Super Centre has been reinvigorated by Service NSW placing its Tuggerah office adjacent to Bunnings.
Westfield Tuggerah and State Planning announced a $2.8B joint venture last year which will see a city arise from the vacant cow pasture to the west of the shopping centre. It is State Planning’s second project on the Coast following the Gosford City Centre revitalization.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance said at the time the proposal includes $700M for the complete overhaul of Tuggerah Train Station to build an integrated transport interchange and associated town centre infrastructure and high streets.
“Including a new interchange as part of this historic proposal for Tuggerah reflects the importance of integrated, efficient transport in building thriving, livable cities,” Mr Constance said.
“The interchange would connect and coordinate train and bus services to an 8.5km active transport network of pedestrian paths and cycle ways.
“Importantly, this proposal would enable people to leave their cars at home and get to where they need to go by using a seamless public transport network or enjoying active transport options.”
With rail transport a critical part of Tuggerah’s rise including the need for better parking and commuter access, the 2020-21 NSW Budget features a $34M funding commitment to the design work, planning approval and construction of accessibility upgrades at Tuggerah Station.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the NSW Government would install lifts and deliver improved pedestrian access to Tuggerah Station.
“Early site investigations have already been conducted by the fantastic Transport for NSW team and this new funding allows the project to progress to the next stage,” Mr Crouch said.
“With the Central Coast region growing very quickly, an upgrade like this will ensure Tuggerah Station can meet the needs of train users – both now and into the future.
“This multi-million dollar project will make it easier for everyone to access Tuggerah Station, including people with a disability, limited mobility, parents and carers with prams and travellers with luggage.”
Mr Crouch said the NSW Government’s investment in local projects would also provide local job opportunities.
“Over the life of this project, approximately 50 jobs will be on offer across the fields of engineering, design, construction and administration,” Mr Crouch said.
“Given the challenges of COVID-19, the NSW Government is pulling every economic lever available to keep people in jobs and businesses in business.”
The $34M commitment to Tuggerah Station is part of a Statewide package of $112M in the 2020-21 NSW Budget, with a further $80M to progress future upgrades.
A new commuter car park of up to 220 spaces at Tuggerah Station is also in the planning stage.
