Infrastructure
The Central Coast has a well developed electricity, gas and telecommunications network to all areas of the region along with a high quality water supply and sewage. The Central Coast's road and rail network ensures fast and efficient access to major cities throughout the Eastern Seaboard.
Electricity
EnergyAustralia owns and manages the Central Coast's extensive electricity distribution network. The region's yearly growth in demand for electricity has exceeded expectations, reaching 4%. In parts of Wyong Shire the increase is as much as 18% and in Gosford City more than 14%.
Gas
The main natural gas pipeline, which passes through the Central Coast, is part of the National Grid and a network of high pressure mains ensures a guaranteed supply to industrial, commercial and residential users throughout the region.
Telecommunications
Major network providers Telstra and Optus have installed high capacity telecommunications backbones that extend throughout the Central Coast as part of their east coast networks. This backbone supports a regional network that is focused around the core business areas - Gosford, Mount Penang, Erina, Tuggerah, Woy Woy and Ourimbah university campus - for those industries reliant on high capacity networks.
A growing wireless network in the licensed and unlicensed spectrum is being established throughout the region, aimed at overcoming connectivity difficulties in those areas difficult to service by cable. Mobile networks are operated by Telstra, Vodaphone and Optus providing the region with coverage to most areas.
Water Supply
The Central Coast is serviced with its own water supply system which features pristine catchment areas for its three dams - Mardi Dam, Mooney Mooney Dam and the Mangrove Creek Dam. This supply is augmented by a pipeline connection to the Hunter Water supply system and groundwater from seven borefields spread throughout the region and a pipeline between Mardi Dam and Mangrove Creek Dam is presently under construction to transfer surplus water.
Sewage and Waste Management
The Region is serviced by a reticulated sewerage system to all non-rural residential, commercial and industrial areas. Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils operate their own independent sewerage systems which are relatively new having been extensively developed over the past twenty to thirty years. Both Councils adopt highly responsible policies in respect of sewage and trade waste. Councils license the amount and type of trade waste which may be discharged into the sewerage systems. Trade waste policies are based on the 'user pays' principle with charges reflecting the quality and quantity of waste. 'Land-fill' garbage dumps for approved solid waste are in operation.
Public Transport
The rail line between Sydney and Newcastle is electrified, providing comfortable, fast, scheduled services through the Central Coast. The same rail line links Sydney and the Central Coast to Brisbane, the north coast and north-west New South Wales. Scheduled bus services operate throughout the region linking all suburbs to the major centres and rail stations. Palm Beach Ferry Services operates regular services between Palm Beach (on Sydney's northern beaches), Ettalong Beach and Wagstaff and between Woy Woy, Saratoga and Empire Bay.
Roads
The six lane Sydney-Newcastle Expressway runs right through the Central Coast with exits for Gosford, Ourimbah, Tuggerah/Wyong and Warnervale/Toukley. The Pacific Highway offers an alternate route through the region via Gosford, Ourimbah, Wyong and Warnervale. A network of arterial roads links the Expressway exits with the residential, commercial and industrial areas of the Central Coast.
