Council adopts and progresses key strategies to strengthen the regional economy
Central Coast Council has adopted and progressed a suite of key strategies to guide jobs, investment, tourism, events and employment land planning across the region.
At its meeting on Tuesday 28 April, Council adopted the Economic Development Strategy 2026-2030, Destination Management Plan 2026-2029 and Events Strategy 2026-2030, and endorsed the Central Coast Employment Land Strategy for submission to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
Together, the strategies set a shared direction to grow industries, attract investment, strengthen town centres and ensure the Central Coast has the land capacity needed to support future employment growth.
Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the key Council strategies help set the Central Coast up for the future.
“The Economic Development Strategy, Destination Management Plan, Events Strategy and Employment Land Strategy give Council a clearer direction to support local jobs and businesses while planning for our growing region,” Mayor McKinna said.
“Together, they help guide steady growth across the Central Coast as a great place to live, work, invest and visit.”
Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Council will use a single annual action plan to guide the delivery of the strategies.
“The Economic Development Strategy, Destination Management Plan and Events Strategy will be brought together through one Regional Economy Strategic Action Plan each year,” Ms Smith said.
“This will set clear yearly priorities, support coordinated delivery and be considered as part of Council’s annual planning and budgeting processes.”
About the strategies
Economic Development Strategy – The strategy brings together a targeted program of work that supports business, activity, investment and employment, while continuing to build a strong and resilient regional economy.
Destination Management Plan – The plan brings together actions across destination marketing and management, tourism product and infrastructure, and industry development to grow visitation, increase visitor expenditure, support regional dispersal and deliver broader economic and community benefits.
Events Strategy – The strategy streamlines event processes, strengthens internal coordination and reviews key guidelines to support the growth of events across the region, making it easier for more events to thrive and benefit the Central Coast community.
Employment Land Strategy – The strategy provides a long-term framework for protecting, enhancing and expanding land for employment-generating uses across the Central Coast. It has been endorsed by Council for submission to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and will support future planning decisions related to industry, infrastructure and jobs.
The strategies were on public exhibition over the past year, giving the community an opportunity to provide feedback before Council adopted them at its April meeting.
With the strategies now adopted and progressed, Council has a clear framework to guide future investment and partnerships, supporting sustainable growth and a Central Coast that remains a great place to live, work, invest and visit for generations to come.
To view the strategies, go to regional economy strategies or employment land strategy.
ENDS