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Coastal Open Space System (COSS)
An Introduction to Gosford City's Coastal Open Space System of Reserves
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What is the Coastal Open Space System?
As you drive down from Somersby plateau to Gosford there is something striking about the landscape that unfolds before you: Gosford City
and its suburbs are nestled in a sea of green ridgetops.
The Gosford City Council's Coastal Open Space System (COSS) is a network of bushland reserves set aside and managed for their natural
beauty and nature conservation values. The COSS was created in 1984, and Council continues to actively purchase identified high nature
conservation value land as it becomes available. Funding for purchasing and managing
the COSS bushland reserves comes from rates and special contributions made by developers.The COSS and other Bushland Reserves are
managed by Council's Natural Open Space Unit.
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The COSS LogoThe COSS reserves have their own logo, which was developed |
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How do I find the COSS Reserves?
The COSS Reserves are found throughout Gosford City, from ridgetops to lagoons, giving us our clean, green backdrop. The largest and most
accessible COSS Reserves include:
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Reserve Name |
Main vehicle access point/s |
Main pedestrian access point/s |
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| Kincumba Mountain Reserve | Island View Drive, Kincumber | Bronzewing Drive, Erina |
| Rumbalara Reserve | Dolly Avenue, Springfield | Henry Wheeler Place & John Whiteway Drive, Gosford |
| Katandra Reserve | Katandra Road, Holgate & Toomeys Road, Mt Elliot | |
| Berry's Head Reserve | Belina Avenue, Wyoming | Berry's Head Road, Wyoming |
| Mt Ettalong Reserve | Patonga Drive, Pearl Beach |
You can search for your closest COSS reserve on the MyGosford Reserves web site.
What's special about the COSS Reserves?
The five key values of the COSS have been identified as:
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Scenic Quality: |
The COSS is a backdrop to the city, and contributes to the sense of place in Gosford. |
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Natural Setting: |
The COSS consists of substantially unaltered natural ecosystems that provide a range of wildlife habitats, and |
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Human Interaction: |
The COSS is all around us, and offers many opportunities recreation, education and scientific endeavours. |
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Cultural Significance: |
The rich Aboriginal cultural heritage including sites, places, stories and landscapes; and the signs and stories |
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The System: |
The size, proximity and linkages of the COSS enhance the overall value of the individual reserves and other |
How was land for the COSS Reserves selected?
The predominant colours of Gosford City are the green of the bushland, the blue waters and white beaches. How did Gosford City
manage to preserve its network of natural bushland despite the pressures of urban development?
The importance of preserving land with high aesthetic and environmental values in the Central Coast area was initially identified
in 1975 as part of the Rural Lands Study prepared by the NSW Planning and Environment Commission. This study recommended the long
term conservation of the features that make this area so special - the steep sandstone ridgelines, prominant hills, headlands, seacliffs,
wetlands, dunes and flora and fauna habitats.
Gosford Council used the recommendations of the Rural Lands Study to create the Coastal Open Space System in 1984 - a system of
natural area reserves to conserve the natural values and give access for all to enjoy.
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Where can I find more information on the COSS Reserves?
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Photos on this page by: Phil Wood, Brent Evans, Warren Brown, Marjo Patari, Lisa Ford