In January the State Government launched the Central Coast Strategy.
The strategy has seven priorities and this article focuses on priority four: Expanding the Health and Wellbeing Precinct
The growing and ageing population of the Central Coast will be the primary driver of new jobs locally, according to the strategy.
“Expanded health services are critical to providing adequate health and allied services for the growing population of the Central Coast and in helping achieve Gosford CBD’s regional city status,” the strategy says.
It calls for the development of Building B, which would complete Stage 2 of the Health and Wellbeing Precinct which saw Building A officially opened almost a year ago, in March 2022, by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The building is home to the University of Newcastle Central Coast Clinical School and the Central Coast Research Institute for Integrated Care.
Previous to that, an 11-storey Acute Services Building and carpark were opened in 2019 at Gosford Hospital.
But the strategy says Building B would be a final and essential step for complementary State agencies or private sector health related services to create a complete Health and Wellbeing Precinct around the hospital.
“88,000 new residents will call the Central Coast home by 2040 increasing the overall population but particularly the ageing population with many choosing to retire to the Central Coast,” the strategy says.
“Servicing this growing and ageing population will see health care and social assistance emerge as the primary employment driver of new jobs.”
The Strategy said that in 2019 this sector provided 18.7% of all new jobs and $1,997m to the local economy.
It envisages an expanded Gosford Health and Wellbeing Precinct that would leverage the links between the Local Health District, the Clinical School and the Research Institute.
“The precinct will provide 765 of the additional 4,300 health care and social assistance workers required to meet future demand, adding $61.2m to the local economy every year,” the strategy says.
“These quality jobs will be more resilient to economic downturns as they do not rely on the broader domestic or international economy.
“The construction of the final Health and Wellbeing building will provide a local employment boost of around 200 jobs.”
The recommended actions for this financial year are:
# Undertake analysis of funding options for Building B.
# Develop and activate an integrated care innovation hub and program of activity.
See article on Priority one and three https://www.cccouncilwatch.com.au/gosford-uni-to…/
See article on Priority two
