Gosford, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Gosford is a city located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, approximately 76 km north of the Sydney central business district. The city is situated at the northern extremity of Brisbane Water
, an extensive northern branch of the Hawkesbury River
estuary and Broken Bay
.
The city is the administrative centre of the Central Coast region, which is the third largest urban area in New South Wales after Sydney and Newcastle. Gosford is considered a major commercial centre of the Sydney Metropolitan Area, and has been designated as an important growth centre under the NSW Metropolitan Strategy. The city's population was 155,271 in the 2006 census.
Gosford is considered an exurb of the Sydney metropolitan area, with a significant proportion of the population commuting for work or study. This can be attributed to a lower cost of living, lack of employment and educational opportunities in the area, lifestyle factors and the development of strong transport links like the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway
and Cityrail's
Newcastle and Central Coast railway line. These factors have caused Gosford, and the wider Central Coast's population to grow rapidly in recent years.
peoples, with the Guringai being principally coastal-dwellers and the Darkingung occupying land to the west.
Along with the other land around the Hawkesbury River estuary, the Brisbane Water
district was explored during the early stages
of the settlement of Sydney. In the early 19th century some pioneering European settlers began occupying the land, for timber-cutting (mainly ironbark
and Australian red cedar
), lime production and grazing.
Gosford itself was explored by Governor Phillip between 1788 and 1789. The area was of difficult access and settlement did not start before 1823. By the late 19th century the agriculture in the region was diversifying, with market gardens and citrus orchards occupying the rich soil left after the timber harvest. The first road between Hawkesbury, (near Pittwater) to Brisbane Water was only a cart wheel track even in 1850.
Convicts once lived and worked in the Gosford area. In 1825, Gosford's population reached 100, of which 50% were convicts.
East Gosford was the first centre of settlement. Gosford was named in 1839 after Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford
– a friend of the then Governor George Gipps
.
In 1887, the rail link to Sydney was completed, requiring a bridge over the Hawkesbury River and a tunnel through the sandstone ridge west of Woy Woy
. The introduction of this transport link, and then the Pacific Highway
in 1930 accelerated the development of the region.
Gosford became a town in 1885 and was declared a municipality in 1886.
, with warm summers and mild winters. In summer, temperatures generally range from about 27-28°C in the day with high humidity and about 17-18°C at night. Winters are mild with cool overnight temperatures and mild to occasionally warm daytime temperatures with lower humidity. Average rainfall is 1318.3 mm, a lot of which falls in the summer. Records range from a maximum of 43.8°C on 1st January 2006 to a low of -4.2°C on 16th July 1970.
Gosford proper is located in a valley with President's Hill on the city's western border and Rumbalara Reserve on its eastern border, and Brisbane water to the city's south. Mann Street, Gosford's main street and part of the Pacific Highway, runs north-south contains the frontage for much of its commercial district. The Central Coast Highway
runs past Gosford's waterfront area, while its predecessor the Pacific Highway
takes on several names through the CBD itself. Mann Street contains the main public transport links for Gosford, with Gosford railway station (CityRail
and CountryLink
) and the termini for several bus routes.
In the centre of Gosford is a shopping and community precinct, including Kibble Park, William Street Mall, Gosford City Library, the Imperial Shopping Centre, the Gosford Town Shopping Centre and a full range of shops, cafes, banks and services, especially along William Street Mall.
More recently, the Gosford CBD has suffered a decline as more commercial activity has relocated to nearby Erina, particularly Erina Fair
. To address this, there have been proposals to revitalise the city centre by more adequately connecting it to the waterfront, and provide more employment and entertainment areas.
More recently the city has redeveloped its park in the city centre, including a stream, a restaurant and outdoor performance facilities. This will be the beginning of the redevelopment of the CBD.
A small number of high rise developments have been built in the area as well, to encourage a concentration of residence in a bid to stimulate the economy of local business, and the local population, with more high rise developments planned.
Brisbane Water
Brisbane Water is the northern arm of Broken Bay on the east coast of New South Wales Australia. Brisbane Water is named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, Governor of New South Wales between 1820 and 1825...
, an extensive northern branch of the Hawkesbury River
Hawkesbury River
The Hawkesbury River, also known as Deerubbun, is one of the major rivers of the coastal region of New South Wales, Australia. The Hawkesbury River and its tributaries virtually encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney.-Geography:-Course:...
estuary and Broken Bay
Broken Bay
Broken Bay is a large inlet of the Pacific Ocean located about 50 km north of Sydney on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, and is the first major bay north of Sydney's Port Jackson.- Geography :...
.
The city is the administrative centre of the Central Coast region, which is the third largest urban area in New South Wales after Sydney and Newcastle. Gosford is considered a major commercial centre of the Sydney Metropolitan Area, and has been designated as an important growth centre under the NSW Metropolitan Strategy. The city's population was 155,271 in the 2006 census.
Gosford is considered an exurb of the Sydney metropolitan area, with a significant proportion of the population commuting for work or study. This can be attributed to a lower cost of living, lack of employment and educational opportunities in the area, lifestyle factors and the development of strong transport links like the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway
Sydney-Newcastle Freeway
The Sydney-Newcastle Freeway is a stretch of motorway linking Sydney to the Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter regions of New South Wales. It is part of the AusLink road corridor between Sydney and Brisbane, carrying the route designation....
and Cityrail's
CityRail
CityRail is an operating brand of RailCorp, a corporation owned by the state government of New South Wales, Australia. It is responsible for providing commuter rail services, and some coach services, in and around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, the three largest cities of New South Wales. It is...
Newcastle and Central Coast railway line. These factors have caused Gosford, and the wider Central Coast's population to grow rapidly in recent years.
History
Until European settlement, the area around Gosford was occupied by two groups of Australian Aborigines, the Guringai and DarkinjungDarkinjung people
The Darkinjung are the in the Wyong and area and is a major landowner on the Central Coast, participating in formal joint management of some areas of state forest in the region. It represents over 450 local Aboriginal residents...
peoples, with the Guringai being principally coastal-dwellers and the Darkingung occupying land to the west.
Along with the other land around the Hawkesbury River estuary, the Brisbane Water
Brisbane Water
Brisbane Water is the northern arm of Broken Bay on the east coast of New South Wales Australia. Brisbane Water is named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, Governor of New South Wales between 1820 and 1825...
district was explored during the early stages
History of Sydney
The History of Sydney begins in prehistoric times with the occupation of the district by Australian Aborigines, whose ancestors came to Australia between 45,000 and 50,000 years ago...
of the settlement of Sydney. In the early 19th century some pioneering European settlers began occupying the land, for timber-cutting (mainly ironbark
Ironbark
Ironbark is a common name of a number of species in three taxonomic groups within the genus Eucalyptus that have dark, deeply furrowed bark....
and Australian red cedar
Toona ciliata
Australian Red Cedar , Toona ciliata is a forest tree in the family Meliaceae which grows throughout southern Asia from Afghanistan to Papua New Guinea and Australia. In Australia its natural habitat is now extensively cleared subtropical rainforests of New South Wales and Queensland...
), lime production and grazing.
Gosford itself was explored by Governor Phillip between 1788 and 1789. The area was of difficult access and settlement did not start before 1823. By the late 19th century the agriculture in the region was diversifying, with market gardens and citrus orchards occupying the rich soil left after the timber harvest. The first road between Hawkesbury, (near Pittwater) to Brisbane Water was only a cart wheel track even in 1850.
Convicts once lived and worked in the Gosford area. In 1825, Gosford's population reached 100, of which 50% were convicts.
East Gosford was the first centre of settlement. Gosford was named in 1839 after Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford
Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford
Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford GCB , styled The Honourable Archibald Acheson from 1790 to 1806 and Lord Acheson from 1806 to 1807, was a British politician who served as Lieutenant-Governor of Lower Canada and Governor General of British North America in the 19th century.-Background:Born at...
– a friend of the then Governor George Gipps
George Gipps
Sir George Gipps was Governor of the colony of New South Wales, Australia, for eight years, between 1838 and 1846. His governorship was during a period of great change for New South Wales and Australia, as well as for New Zealand, which was administered as part of New South Wales for much of this...
.
In 1887, the rail link to Sydney was completed, requiring a bridge over the Hawkesbury River and a tunnel through the sandstone ridge west of Woy Woy
Woy Woy, New South Wales
Woy Woy is a coastal town and a southern suburb of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, located on the southern reaches of Brisbane Water north of Sydney...
. The introduction of this transport link, and then the Pacific Highway
Pacific Highway (Australia)
The Pacific Highway is a major transport route along part of the east coast of Australia and is part of Australia's national route 1.It is 960 km long and links Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, along the coast, via Gosford, Newcastle, Taree, Port...
in 1930 accelerated the development of the region.
Gosford became a town in 1885 and was declared a municipality in 1886.
Climate
Gosford has a humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
, with warm summers and mild winters. In summer, temperatures generally range from about 27-28°C in the day with high humidity and about 17-18°C at night. Winters are mild with cool overnight temperatures and mild to occasionally warm daytime temperatures with lower humidity. Average rainfall is 1318.3 mm, a lot of which falls in the summer. Records range from a maximum of 43.8°C on 1st January 2006 to a low of -4.2°C on 16th July 1970.
City centre
Central Coast Highway
The Central Coast Highway is a major road corridor through the Central Coast region of New South Wales. The route was officially named by the New South Wales state government on 9 August 2006 and aims to provide an easily identifiable route through the Coast for visitors to the region...
runs past Gosford's waterfront area, while its predecessor the Pacific Highway
Pacific Highway (Australia)
The Pacific Highway is a major transport route along part of the east coast of Australia and is part of Australia's national route 1.It is 960 km long and links Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, along the coast, via Gosford, Newcastle, Taree, Port...
takes on several names through the CBD itself. Mann Street contains the main public transport links for Gosford, with Gosford railway station (CityRail
CityRail
CityRail is an operating brand of RailCorp, a corporation owned by the state government of New South Wales, Australia. It is responsible for providing commuter rail services, and some coach services, in and around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, the three largest cities of New South Wales. It is...
and CountryLink
CountryLink
CountryLink is the operator of passenger rail services in country New South Wales, Australia and into Queensland and Victoria. It is an operating brand of the Rail Corporation New South Wales, a government-owned entity...
) and the termini for several bus routes.
In the centre of Gosford is a shopping and community precinct, including Kibble Park, William Street Mall, Gosford City Library, the Imperial Shopping Centre, the Gosford Town Shopping Centre and a full range of shops, cafes, banks and services, especially along William Street Mall.
More recently, the Gosford CBD has suffered a decline as more commercial activity has relocated to nearby Erina, particularly Erina Fair
Erina Fair
Erina Fair is a major shopping centre located in Erina on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Erina Fair was opened as Central Coast Fair in 1987. With expansions in 1994, 2003 and 2009, Erina Fair has become the largest non-metropolitan shopping centre in Australia and the largest...
. To address this, there have been proposals to revitalise the city centre by more adequately connecting it to the waterfront, and provide more employment and entertainment areas.
More recently the city has redeveloped its park in the city centre, including a stream, a restaurant and outdoor performance facilities. This will be the beginning of the redevelopment of the CBD.
A small number of high rise developments have been built in the area as well, to encourage a concentration of residence in a bid to stimulate the economy of local business, and the local population, with more high rise developments planned.
Facilities
Gosford is home to:- Gosford HospitalGosford HospitalGosford District Hospital is a 484-bed hospital in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia. It provides a range of medical, surgical and maternity services to the Central Coast region of New South Wales...
– the largest hospital on the Central Coast - Gosford High SchoolGosford High SchoolGosford High School is a public, co-educational, academically selective high school located in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia with 1080 students from years 7 to 12....
– the only selective high school on the Central Coast - The Central Coast Conservatorium (in the original Gosford Courthouse)
- The Bluetongue Central Coast StadiumBluetongue Central Coast StadiumCentral Coast Stadium, named Bluetongue Stadium due to sponsorship, is a sports venue in Gosford, on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The stadium is home to the Central Coast Mariners Football Club who compete in the A-League...
in Grahame Park, adjacent to the Central Coast Leagues Club. Originally built for the Central Coast Bears team in the NRLNational Rugby LeagueThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
rugby leagueRugby leagueRugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
competition (to this day, the seats are arranged to say 'Go Bears'), since 2005 it is now the home of the Central Coast MarinersCentral Coast Mariners FCCentral Coast Mariners Football Club is a professional football club based on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. They participate in the A-League and are one of three teams from the state of New South Wales playing in the competition...
A-LeagueA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
association football team and was the home venue of the Central Coast RaysCentral Coast RaysThe Central Coast Rays were an Australian rugby union football club that played in the now-defunct Australian Rugby Championship. The Rays were formed as one of New South Wales' three clubs that participated in the inaugural season of the championship, which started in August 2007. The team were...
rugby union Australian Rugby ChampionshipAustralian Rugby ChampionshipThe Australian Rugby Championship, often abbreviated to the ARC , was a domestic Rugby union football club competition in Australia which ran for only one season in August–October 2007...
team - Gosford Racecourse
- Gosford showground
- The headquarters of the NSW State Government'sGovernment of New South WalesThe form of the Government of New South Wales is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
workers compensation fund, WorkCover. - Gavenlock Oval – Home ground of the Gosford City Dragons
Notable people
- Matt OrfordMatt OrfordMatthew Orford is an Australian professional rugby league player, last playing for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League competition...
– Former NRL halfback, 2008 Dally M medal winner, 2008 Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesManly-Warringah Sea EaglesThe Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
premiership captain - Mark SkaifeMark SkaifeMark Stephen Skaife OAM is an Australian motor racing driver. Skaife is a five time winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, including its predecessor the Australian Touring Car Championship. He is also a six-time winner of Australia's most prestigious domestic motor race, the Bathurst 1000...
– 5-time Bathurst 1000Bathurst 1000The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
winner - Des HaslerDes HaslerDes Hasler is an Australian former professional rugby league player and current head coach of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He played in 309 matches in a first-grade career spanning 16 seasons. Most of his career was spent with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, with whom he won two premierships...
– Former Rugby leagueRugby leagueRugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
utility player, NSWNew South Wales rugby league teamThe New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
& Australian representative player, 1987 & 1996 Manly Sea Eagles premiership player, 2008 Manly Sea Eagles premiership coach - Alan DavidsonAlan Davidson (cricketer)Alan Keith Davidson, AM, MBE is a former Australian cricketer of the 1950s and 1960s. He was an all rounder: a hard-hitting lower-order left-handed batsman, and an outstanding left-arm fast-medium opening bowler...
– Former Australian cricketer. An all-rounder who played 44 tests for Australia and 193 matches for New South WalesNew South Wales BluesThe New South Wales cricket team are an Australian first class cricket team based in Sydney, New South Wales...
. During the 1950s was regarded as one of the finest pace bowlers in the world - David FairleighDavid FairleighDavid Fairleigh is an Australian rugby league coach and former professional footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative forward, he played the majority of his club football in Australia for the North Sydney Bears, winning 1994's...
– Former Rugby League forward, 1994 Rothman's Medal winner, NSW & Australian representative player, North Sydney BearsNorth Sydney BearsThe North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on...
"Team Of The Century" second-rower, current coach of the Central Coast Bears - Andrew RedmayneAndrew RedmayneAndrew Redmayne is an Australian football player. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Brisbane Roar.-Club career:...
– Goalkeeper for the Brisbane Roar in the Hyundai A-LeagueA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... - Brad PorterBrad PorterBradley "Brad" Porter is an football player. He currently plays as a central midfielder for the Australian A-League club Central Coast Mariners.-Club career:...
– Midfielder for the Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-LeagueA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
Notable residents
- Chris PayneChris PayneChristopher 'Chris' Payne is an Australian football player currently signed with A League club Newcastle Jets.-Sydney FC:...
, footballer playing for the North Queensland Fury in the A-LeagueA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... - Peter SterlingPeter SterlingPeter Maxwell John "Sterlo" Sterling OAM is an Australian rugby league commentator and former player. He was one of the all-time great halfbacks and a major contributor to Parramatta Eels' dominance of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in the 1980s. Sterling played nineteen Tests for...
, former rugby league player, 4-time premiership player (1981–83 and 1986) - Charlotte BestCharlotte BestCharlotte Best is an Australian actress.-Personal life:Charlotte grew up in the town of Gosford where she attended Central Coast Grammar School and was friends with Romy Gilbert and the like.. She then moved to Sydney with her family...
, Australian actress, known for her role as Annie Campbell on Home and AwayHome and AwayHome and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
See also
- List of cities in Australia
- Electoral district of GosfordElectoral district of GosfordGosford is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Chris Holstein of the Liberal Party. The former district of Gosford was renamed Terrigal for the 2007 state election...
, a seat in the New South Wales Legislative AssemblyNew South Wales Legislative AssemblyThe Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...