I based it on a 1970’s development report by the State Government which outlined its plans for Warnervale to be the new city centre for the northern end of the Coast.
In the following years, I periodically wrote follow-up stories on the future of the sleepy farmland and reported on the many broken dreams that fizzled out after a lack of interest.
Flash forward 40 plus years and I am writing another story about the future of the ‘Sleeping Giant’.
Except, this time it is actually awakening from the slumber and by 2041 will have 50,000 plus residents, which will make it one of the fastest growing urban centres in Australia.
To be fair, today’s Central Coast Council had nothing to do with heady plans that included a major town centre and a much needed new railway station and transport centre north of Sparks Rd.
That was a key project of the old Wyong Shire Council, a brash upstart LGA that outperformed its older brother Gosford City Council in terms of its “get up and go” attitude and good old fashioned enthusiasm.
With the population of Warnervale and surrounding suburbs expected to nearly double over the next two decades, the local Council of 2023 is actively taking steps to ensure that future development is both responsible and sustainable for residents and the environment.
It is anticipated that nearly 57,000 people will call Warnervale home by 2041. Council’s draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan helps the community identify the long-term vision and principles that will guide land use planning in the area.
The Plan pours water on the ambitious Town Centre and even the cramped railway station looks like staying right where it has been for a century or so.
It is disappointing for visionaries such as Ray White’s development expert Les Rogan who believes Warnervale could be “the next Parramatta” if it was planned right and reached its full potential.
“Unfortunately this stems all the way from the top. Gosford has been identified, to take priority over any future developments in the Northern part of Coast.
“The Premier, Minister and MP's haven't even able to grasp is Gosford has no more residential land. Warnervale and surrounding Areas have around 10 years of residential land and this will mean the tens of thousands of people in the coming years will choose the Northern part of the Central Coast as a preferred place to live.
‘It's only a matter of time and the large development companies will bypass Central Coast Council and their lack of foresight and go straight to State Planning to get major projects going.
“I believe Council has no one that can see any potential for Wyong Area but this will change regardless of premiers, politicians and people who have different agendas.
“There is a lot of land that has been stockpiled over the past eight years and the major players will ensure that Warnervale reaches its full potential.
“Meanwhile, the adjacent Lake Macquarie area has development happening everywhere,” Mr Rogan said.
Council’s Director of Environment and Planning Alice Howe said the Draft Plan was important to help future-proof the community’s needs.
“We want Greater Warnervale to grow in a sustainable way by allowing for future growth to occur in a manner that does not compromise the attributes that make our community a desirable place to live,” Dr Howe said.
“Although this is a long-term project, it’s important we take the steps now to understand what facilities will be required to ensure development in Warnervale meets future community needs.”
There are several ways the community can have their say on the Draft Plan, including attending a public information session at Lake Haven Library or making a submission online.
And Council Administrator Rik Hart is hoping residents participate in the process.
“We want the community to share local knowledge that can be used to better shape the region to meet future needs,” Mr Hart said.
“Council is seeking feedback on community, education, and recreation facilities as well as environmental open space and connecting pathways that people would like to see in their area.”
The draft Greater Warnervale Structure Plan is currently on public exhibition, with Council accepting public submissions until Friday March 31.
PUBLIC SESSIONS
Session 1
Thursday February 23
10am-12pm
Session 2
Wednesday March 1
1pm-3pm
Both sessions will be held at Lake Haven Library.
View the Draft Plan and contribute a submission at: www.yourvoiceourcoast.com
