Message from the Chair / CEO - June 2026

The last 3 months has been a busy time at RDA Central Coast! We have attended two openings, the first being the new Innovation Hub (I2N) for the University of Newcastle in the new Gosford Regional Library. Then it was off to The Waterfront at 36 Baker Street Gosford, with 136 apartments including 10 Specialist Disability Accommodation Units.

As part of our membership of the Peak Alliance Body alongside Business NSW Central Coast, Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW, Housing Industry Association (HIA), Central Coast Leadership Forum, Property Council of Australia and Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC) we collectively delivered the “Central Coast Pre-budget Submission FY26” to the Central Coast Region NSW Parliament Ministers at NSW Parliament House, in the hope that some of our infrastructure priorities are tabled for this year’s budget, prior to the March 2027 election.

Our CEO attended the SEGRA Conference (Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia) in Lithgow. With presentations on Energy, Economic Development and the Productivity Commission. The Chair and CEO also attended the two-day Australian Placemaking Summit in Sydney. RDA Central Coast are continuing to meet with local, NSW and Federal Government ministers, recently meeting with Ministers Emma McBride, Liesl Tesch and the office of Dr Gorden Reid. We are continuing to work with Central Coast Council on Economic Development, and other stakeholders on the Central Coast to support Gosford as our regional Capital, and the Central Coast region.

RDA Central Coast alongside RDA Hunter’s CEO Kate O’Mara attended the industry briefing by the High Speed Rail Authority, calling for expressions of interest on the construction of the High Speed Rail Line from Newcastle to Gosford. Trains would be travelling at 320 km/h, taking the travel time from Gosford to Sydney and Gosford to Newcastle to just 30 minutes. This development phase will be open for 2 years until April 2028.

We have now appointed a new Deputy Chair Nicole Gerschel, and two new Committee members Jenn McGhie and Amanda Cooton. Our recent Committee Strategic Planning session prepared for the new Business Plan which is due July 2026. We were successful in getting a grant for some professional development, and our Chair will be heading to Sydney in July to complete a course delivered by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Many RDA Central Coast Committee members and the CEO attended the Business NSW Central Coast City Shaping Summit “Gosford Now”. Featuring presentations by current developers as well as panel sessions with Central Coast Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna, and Ministers Liesl Tesch (NSW) and Dr Gordon Reid (Federal). Gosford is certainly growing upwards, and alongside the high speed rail will also growing down, with 60% of the rail line to be built underground.

In early May we hosted a high-level delegation from Taizhou Municipal Government China, who toured the nearly completed Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub. We anticipate a July 2026 opening. If you are interested in the Hub, here is the link.

We are offering ongoing support to local businesses by writing letters of support for grant applications.

We have recently published our “Infrastructure Priority List 2026-27” and the “Current Infrastructure Projects Central Coast April 2026”.

We have released our “10 year Snapshot” reviewing the last 10 years of change on the Central Coast.

As part of our grant commitments to the Federal Government, we will be submitting our Annual Business Plan 2026 – 27 and our Budget 2026-27, then getting ready to deliver on the plan come July 2026.   

As always, the RDA Central Coast CEO and Committee members will continue to connect, collaborate and advocate for long-term benefit of the Central Coast Community.

Gai Cottrilll Lisa Barnes

Chair CEO/DRD