“An Addendum Planning Proposal has been lodged with Council, who are working with Property NSW towards a public exhibition period in 2019, with rezoning gazettal later in the year.
This is a significantly improved proposal over the previous plans which would have overdeveloped the site, limited public access and seriously reduced the aesthetics from the Freeway.
The revised proposal includes the potential to open up more than 2 kilometres of public access along the foreshore and more than 21 hectares of open space for the community, including an 11 hectare expansion of the adjacent bushland and Popran National Park.”
The Central Coast Council Administrator promised a 3 month consultation period
Click here to read more about the proposal and watch the video
Thank you to everyone who helped to gain these improvements, keep involved so that we end up with the best result possible.
Contact your local MP and tell them you want Peat Island for everyone.
or Become a Friend of Peat Island to be kept informed – click here:
Save Peat Island and Pick Your Future
Peat Island was originally established as a hospital for mental health patients. It has been closed for 5 years and the land is now being considered for other uses.
For Example:
The western area should be for day-trippers to stay at (picnic, walks, etc. places to buy food and for large numbers to move through, on to the river and the National Parks. There would be opportunity for basic waterfront camping and heritage buildings would hold displays on National Parks, Hospital and Tourism.”
Linda Burney
NSW Deputy Opposition Leader
Shadow Minister for the Central Coast
Kathy Smith
Labor Candidate for Gosford
Thursday January 22, 2015
Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Linda Burney has today expressed deep concerns about the Baird Government’s controversial redevelopment of Peat Island and public land adjoining the Hawkesbury River near Mooney Mooney in its current form.
On a visit today to the historic Peat Island site to meet with local residents, Ms Burney – joined by Labor Candidate for Gosford Kathy Smith – said Labor believed the area was a precious environmental and tourism asset of importance to Sydney and the Central Coast. She urged the Government to go back to the drawing board and begin a genuine community consultation process – instead of selling off the area to a big private developer.
Read more: BURNEY VOICES CONCERNS ABOUT BAIRD GOVERNMENT’S PEAT ISLAND REDEVELOPMENT
Gosford Council approves a plan to rezone historic peat island on the Hawkesbury River, making way for a massive waterfront development.
See: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-10/peat-island-rezoned-for-development/5959042
Media Release
11th December 2014
The Community Environment Network has condemned the decision of Gosford Council to support the Rezoning of the Peat Island lands. The Peat Island lands comprise a total area of 25 Ha, of this the island is less than 1Ha.
The lands being rezoned include Tank Hill which was to be included in Popran National Park when the first proposal was put out for public comment in 2011. Since then the developers have gotten into the act and now much more land, including bushland, is to be taken from the community and developed.
At the Council meeting a member of the local community spoke against the rezoning in its current form. Two Public Servants from the NSW Government spoke in favour of the proposal.
John Asquith, Chairman of the Community Environment Network said: “ Apparently, no one from the local community was prepared to speak in favour of the current proposal. This rezoning is an excessive over development of an Iconic Landscape. From Tuggerah to Wahroonga 100,000 people travel along the Freeway daily and for 80 kilometres they are in bushland. If this rezoning goes ahead an ugly scar will ruin that experience.”
This over development involves:
John Asquith Chairman
Mr Asquith continued: “Everyone accepts that something needs to happen at Peat Island and the adjoining lands. However, development on Western Side of Freeway is an issue of National Importance due to Iconic Landscape and as the entry point to Sydney and the Central Coast. No development should occur on the Tank Hill due to the steepness of the land, good quality vegetation and need to maintain the aesthetics from the freeway / motorway / M1. On the eastern side of the freeway there is ample other degraded land for development.”
12 Oct, 2014
Dear Gosford Council and Councillors,
I attach a submission as an individual regarding the proposed Concept Plan prepared by Government Property NSW on behalf of the NSW Government for the future development of Peat Island and Mooney Mooney. I understand that these proposals are before Gosford City Council with a view to rezoning the subject lands.
It is disappointing to see that the Master Plan you have produced seeks to urbanise the Peat Island precinct in the interest of short term commercial gain rather than to extend its potential as a passive recreational and environmental asset for the long term benefit of the community.
The Master Plan proposes too much development and too little recreational space.
The Peat Island Precinct is a community asset, so you would think planning for its future should be focused on how to maximise community access to the site while preserving its environmental and cultural values.
Peat Island is the gateway to the Hawkesbury. CEN, advocates protecting the Lower Hawkesbury, improving community recreational access, and opposes residential development, and major fuel service centre.
CEN wrote to all MPs, Mayor and Council in 2012 and 2013 seeking more public access. Initially this was well received and a response from the Government was quite positive. Then when the 2014 plan was released it had more development and less public access. This includes private housing and a 1200 mm wide board walk for the public around Peat Island. It is clear, the boardwalk will never be built.
This was the last year of Labor – now in 2014 the Coalition has produced a plan with less public lands and restricted access. (see below)
Peat Island is the gateway to the Hawkesbury. CEN, advocates protecting the Lower Hawkesbury, improving community recreational access, and opposes residential development, and major fuel service centre.
CEN are campaigning with some locals for Peat Island to be kept as Public Land.
A proposal from the NSW Government to develop most of the land for housing is before Gosford Council; see details below.
This email is to invite you to join the Friends of Peat Island: If you would like to do so or have questions click here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Click to Read: http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/about-council/governance-and-strategy/access-to-information/gipa-documents-listing
Ratepayers Response to 2014 Proposal
Friends will be kept informed of developments by email
Development on the eastern side of the freeway / motorway / M1 is primarily an issue of local importance, however, the following general points are made:
Development on Western Side of Freeway is an issue of National Importance due to Iconic Landscape and as entry point to Sydney and the Central Coast.
It is envisaged that the best way of achieving these objectives for the Western Side of the Freeway is by the establishment of a Peats Island Trust (similar to the Sydney Harbour Trust).
Driving south on the M1 (formerly F3 Freeway) Motorway towards Sydney as you approach Tuggerah, the natural bushland of Ourimbah State Forest and Jilliby State Conservation Area are entered. To the south east is Strickland State Forest. As the road rises to the plateau, there are views of distant hills and waterways. This is Brisbane Waters National Park with the views being of distant Dahrug and Popran National Parks. The road snakes along the plateau past Girrakool and Kariong and then down into the magnificent sweep of Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge.
At the top of the hill is Somersby, surrounded by Brisbane Waters National Park. Little does the driver or passengers realise they are surrounded by Hanging Swamps and Aboriginal Carvings to rival Kakadu. Along the plateau to Mount White the road then begins a gradual decent into the Hawkesbury Valley. Again distant views of mountains and occasional waterways are to be seen. This includes parts of Popran and Marramarra National Parks. As we approach the Hawkesbury Bridge, to the left is Tank Hill where the NSW Government plans to build housing.
Tank Hill to be covered in Houses
From the bridge you can see Spectacle Island and Long Island Nature Reserves to the east with Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park in the background. To the west is Muogamurra Nature Reserve which is open for a restricted period in late winter and spring for the spectacular displays of wildflowers. From the bridge looking west is Peat Island a disused hospital. The landscape is otherwise untouched since European settlement. A magical Iconic Landscape enjoyed by 100,000 people (75,00 vehicles) driving along the motorway each day.
The NSW Government has plans to interrupt this experience by allowing 450 houses, a shopping centre and service centre to be build on 40 Ha. of disused hospital land at Mooney Mooney and Peat Island. This commercialisation will mean that the view to the west will be one of houses and a shopping centre.
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Crossing the Bridge Now | Crossing the Bridge After |
Sound barriers will be needed each side of the highway and across the Hawkesbury bridge to control the noise impact on new homes. Gone will be the view from the Hawkesbury Bridge. The view north will also be interrupted by houses on the bottom half of Tank Hill at Mooney.
Continuing our journey south towards Sydney, we climb the hill towards Berowra and Hornsby. Ku-ring-gai Chase lies to the east and Berowra Valley Regional Park to the west. At Wahroonga the highway ends, a total distance of nearly 70 kilometres in natural bushland and grand scenery. A unique Australian landscape, like no other, on the edge of our largest city. It gives over 100,000 people travelling the highway each day over one hour of enjoyment of beautiful landscape and nature. No servos, no signs and no houses.
In comparison the Great Ocean Road is 4 times longer and the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Appalachians is 700 kilometres long. But neither of these has 100,000 people traversing it each day for over 70 kilometres. A great experience of nature for everyone including commuters and tourists.
The Hawkesbury Valley and Peat Island is an Iconic Landscape and one which must be protected from exploitation. Locals propose that the old Hospital land be used to enable better access to the river, community use and public recreation. Facilities for everyone, not just a few waterfront weekenders for the rich as proposed.
The View from Muggamurra Nature Reserve
The following information is forwarded:
NOTE: The document is not currently on exhibition as community consultation will occur should Council (and the NSW Department of Planning & Environment) support the proposal.
For questions specific to the Planning Proposal itself or assessment process please contact Brian McCourt Councils Senior Land Use Planner on 4325 8260 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peatislandhawkesburyriver | Local Website: peatisland.cen.org.au
Email: peatisland@cen.org.au | Address: PO Box 149 OURIMBAH 2258
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PO Box 149 Ourimbah NSW 2258
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