There is a range of research data and planning that informs the work undertaken by Gosford Council - Community Profile,  Population Forecasts,

Draft Social Inclusion Policy , Quality of Life Survey

A comprehensive list of all Councils documents can be located in the Document Gallery.

For Social Planning enquiries, please contact Council's Social Planner on 4325 8222 or email: helen.eves@gosford.nsw.gov.au

Quality of Life Strategy 2007-10

The Quality of Life Strategy is an update of the Community Plan 2001. It brings together issues that affect people's well being.

The purpose of the Quality of Life Strategy is to provide an overview of community issues, how Council is responding, and to outline the opportunities for other groups to get involved.

The key areas covered in the document includes: Being Part of Our Community; A Balanced Life; Community Spaces and Places; Community Safety; Home and Travel; and Community and Council.

View the Quality of Life Strategy 2007 - 2010 (PDF File, 1.4 MB) 

The Quality of Life and Sustainability project is a joint initiative between Gosford and Wyong Councils and the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation).  The report identifies what quality of life means for Central Coast residents and provides a framework for how this can be measured.

View the Quality of Life and Sustainability Report and appendices

Aboriginal Reconciliation Plan

Council has developed, approved and is currently implementing it's first Aboriginal Development and Reconciliation Plan.

This plan gives priority to the needs of the local Aboriginal community including increasing programs for young people & elders.

View the Aboriginal Development & Reconciliation Plan (PDF File, 661kb)

Social Inclusion Policy

Notice is given that Draft Policy "C5.06 Social Inclusion" is currently on public exhibition at the Gosford City Council Customer Service Centres at Gosford, Erina, Woy Woy and Kincumber.

The policy may be viewed during opening hours or download or view the  Draft Social Inclusion Policy document online.

Affordable Housing Strategy 2005

Council adopted the Affordable Housing Strategy in April 2005. The Affordable Housing Strategy provides framework for addressing housing issues across the City of Gosford.

The document presents research and consultation findings highlighting a range of issues relating to the availability of affordable housing along with recommended Council responses.

 View the Affordable Housing Strategy

Positive Ageing Strategy

The Positive Ageing Strategy resulted from a Council Resolution on 4th October 2005 to Conduct a review of Aged Care Services in parallel to the Community Plan Review and undertake research relevant to the current Gosford City Council Aged Care involvement.

Since that time a Research Report has been produced by Professor Bill Bellew; Meeting the Needs of an Ageing Population - the Challenges Ahead for Gosford City Council.

This report outlined 12 Strategic Principles and recommended the formation of a Taskforce to determine the outcomes of the recommendations.

 View the Positive Ageing Strategy

Disability Action Plan

Gosford City Council is required to have a Disability Action Plan that outlines Council's strategies for reducing barriers that people with disabilities face when accessing Council services, facilities and infrastructure.

Community Facilities Plan

Gosford City Council Community Facilities include

• Community Centres
• Child Care Centres
• Senior Citizens Centres
• Youth Centres
• Public Halls
• Community Cottages

Community facilities provide the necessary tools for the community to establish links, create opportunitues and essentially build social capital.  Gosford City Council invests considerable resources to provide these facilities and in turn community service organisations and volunteer management committees deliver essential services, programs and information.

There a number a significant factors that are currently or will in the future, impact on the provision of community facilities Gosford.  These include:

• An ageing population
• State Government Plans to increase the number of people living on the Central Coast
• Decline in volunteers
• Centralisation of State and Federal services
• Ageing buildings
• Climate change and the need to reduce reliance on private vehicles
• Changes to Developer Contributions

The aim of the study is to:

• Identify the current mix of Council's community facilities and assess their ability to meet current and future demand
• Assess the management by Council of community facilities in terms of meeting legislative and regulatory commitments, risk, financial probity and equity.
• Assess the suitability and long-term sustainability of current facility management and governance models.

Council is currently addressing its internal governance systems to ensure consistency, efficiency and clear rationale for the allocation and use of community facilities.   

Contact: elizabeth.ambler@gosford.nsw.gov.au