Peninsula Shire Council

The Peninsula community

The Woy Woy Peninsula is defined in two Level 2 Statistical Areas: Woy Woy – Blackwall and Umina – Booker Bay – Patonga. The majority of the population of this area lives on the Woy Woy sandplain.

The sandplain of around 14 square kilometres is less than seven metres above sea level. With half of the sandplain zoned R1, it has the greatest concentration of medium-density-zoned land on the Central Coast and extensive hard-surface areas resulting in a tree canopy estimated at less than 10 per cent and a heat island effect of up to five degrees.

The community's demographics are highly skewed to the elderly, with high numbers of people with disabilities and a median income at 80 per cent of the State figure, all of which should be taken into account with council decisions.

What would Peninsula Council do?

Service to the community

The Woy Woy Peninsula

Peninsula Council would work with and support the Peninsula community. It would not treat the community as its adversary or attempt to undermine it.
Peninsula Council would consider itself part of the community, and work to strengthen the sense of community on the Peninsula. It would not deny the existence of the Peninsula community or attempt to recast it to exclude current community members.
Peninsula Council reports and strategies would recognise the Peninsula community's strengths and challenges.
Peninsula Council would hold council and community meetings on the Peninsula.
Peninsula Council would be mindful of the demands on the lives of its residents, and hold meetings and information sessions at times suitable for commuters as well as local workers and retirees.
Peninsula Council would recognise Peninsula's lower income level and residents' desire to live within their means, to remain part of this community and not be forced out due to increasing costs imposed by the direct and indirect consequences of council actions.
Peninsula Council would adopt a modest approach to budgeting commensurate with residents' financial capacity.
Peninsula Council would budget for rate increases no greater than CPI, with rate levels comparable with local government areas with similar demographics.
Peninsula Council would make statistical data available for the Peninsula that would make comparison possible with other areas of a similar size.