Central Coast Council Gosford CBD Heritage Interpretation Strategy 27 June 2018 Gosford CBD Heritage Interpretation Strategy Introduction Acknowledgements Central Coast Council Rebecca Cardy, Heritage Program Coordinator Gosford Library Geoff Potter, Local Studies Librarian Those members of the Central Coast Council, Gosford Business Improvement District, independent service providers and local residents who generously provided their time and expertise throughout the consultative process. SHP Interpretation Strategy authors Sue Hodges Nicola Henriksson Dr Caroline Hubschmann Lisa Sulinski Historical Research Dr Caroline Hubschmann Consultation and capacity building Lisa Sulinski Interpretive concepts David Alenson Sue Hodges Jackie Malter Lisa Sulinski Interpretive and graphic design Dave Alenson Jackie Malter Lisa Sulinski Tourism Carolyn Childs (My Travel Research) Sue Hodges 2018 © SHP - Page 2 Gosford CBD Heritage Interpretation Strategy Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 4.4.8 Interpretation will be based on the model of ‘The experience economy’ 37 KEY OUTCOMES 5 4.4.9 Interpretation will make use of a wide range of media 37 4.4.10 Interpretation will focus on both tangible and intangible history 37 1. INTRODUCTION 6 4.4.11 Interpretation will be the basis for a new series of products for the region 37 1.1 Using heritage interpretation to make a difference at Gosford 6 4.5 The role of stories 37 1.2 Context 6 4.5.1 How stories were selected 37 1.3 Statements of significance 7 4.5.2 How stories create experiences 38 1.3.1 Local significance 7 4.5.3 Mapping stories and experiences 38 1.3.2 Local significance 8 1.3.3 Draft Heritage List, 2013-17 11 5. A RATIONALE FOR PLACE-BASED INTERPRETATION AT GOSFORD 40 1.4 A contextual history 5.1 Introduction 40 of Gosford 12 5.2 What is place-based interpretation? 40 1.4.1 The study area 12 5.3 Philosophy and approach 40 1.4.2 Introducing Gosford 12 5.3.1 The Historic Urban Landscapes (HUL) program 40 1.4.3 Aboriginal history of 5.4 Why does place-based interpretation matter? 41 the Gosford region 12 5.5 The importance of storytelling 41 1.4.4 Aboriginal Dreaming 13 5.6 The benefits of place-based interpretation 41 1.4.5 The arrival of the Europeans 14 5.6.1 Economic and civic participation 41 1.4.6 Early industries 14 5.6.2 Building a sense of place and belonging 41 1.4.6.1 Timber and sawmilling 14 5.6.3 Health and wellbeing 41 1.4.6.2 Nurseries and fruit growing 15 5.6.4 Social capital 41 1.4.6.3 Gosford Sandstone 16 5.7 A methodology for place-based interpretation 41 1.4.6.4 Communication and transport 17 5.7.1 Community consultation 42 1.4.6.5 Tourism 18 5.7.2 Partnerships 42 1.4.6.6 Gosford Now 18 5.7.3 Cultural mapping 42 5.7.4 Best practice: case studies 42 5.7.4.1 Faces of Ashmont, Wagga Wagga 42 2. SITUATION ANALYSIS 20 5.7.4.2 ‘Pimp my ride’, Wollongong 42 2.1 Key issues for heritage interpretation at Gosford 20 5.7.4.3 Wollongong City Council – mapping sense of place 43 2.1.1 Population growth 20 5.7.4.4 The Outhouse project, Outback NSW 43 2.1.2 Economic revitalisation 20 5.7.4.5 Penrith City Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Program 43 2.1.3 Place-based heritage interpretation 21 5.7.5 Capacity building 43 2.1.4 Heritage-based programs and activities 21 2.1.5 Disability services 21 6. THEMES 45 2.1.6 Positive ageing programs 21 2.2 Review of existing heritage interpretation 22 6.1 Theme 1: Aboriginal lifeways 45 6.2 Theme 2: The industrial spirit 46 6.3 Theme 3: Nature’s playground 46 3. TOURISM ANALYSIS 32 3.1 Gosford’s Unique Selling Points 33 7. THEMATIC FRAMEWORK 48 3.2 Primary target markets 33 3.2.1 Traveller Types 34 3.2.2 Future developments 34 8. STORIES 76 3.2.3 Heritage interpretation and the customer experience. 34 8.1 The Guringai and Darkinjung 76 8.2 The Frontier Wars 77 4. HERITAGE INTERPRETATION 36 8.3 Gosford settlement stories 77 4.1 Overview 36 8.4 Timber! 78 4.2 Vision for interpretation 36 8.5 The fruit bowl 78 4.3 Positioning statement for interpretation 36 8.6 Roads 79 4.4 Guiding principles for the Interpretation Strategy 36 8.7 Railways 79 4.4.1 Interpretation will make the Gosford CBD a destination attraction 36 8.8 Gosford Sandstone 80 4.4.2 Interpretive stories will drive visitor experiences 36 8.9 Tourism 80 4.4.3 Interpretation will create authentic experiences 36 8.10 The people of Gosford 81 4.4.4 Interpretation will assist in creating sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes 36 4.4.5 Interpretation will integrate natural and cultural heritage 36 4.4.5.1 Case Studies 36 4.4.6 Interpretation will create ‘pride of place’ in Gosford 37 4.4.7 Interpretation will extend length of stay 37 2018 © SHP - Page 3 Gosford CBD Heritage Interpretation Strategy Contents 9. HISTORIC IMAGES 87 12. GOSFORD CBD ACTIVATION MAPS 116 12.1 Proposed Activation 116 10. BEST PRACTICE FOR GOSFORD 92 12.2 Sites recommended for activation with interpretation 117 12.2.1 B1 Interpretive signs on heritage buildings 124 10.1 Apps 94 12.2.2 B2 Interpretive signs - interactive 125 10.1.1 Examples 94 12.2.3 B3 Interpretive signs - bespoke 126 10.1.2 Advantages and disadvantages 95 12.2.4 B4 Interpretive signs on existing street furniture 127 10.2 Immersive Media 96 12.2.5 B5 Interpretive murals 128 10.2.1 Advantages and disadvantages 96 12.2.6 B6 Interpretive shopfront displays 129 10.3 Animation 97 12.2.7 B7 Painted shop awnings 130 10.4 Physical Interactivity 98 12.2.8 B8 ‘Viewing portal’ sign posts 131 10.5 Interactive Wayfinding and Interpretation 100 12.2.9 A1 Lighting installation (video or static) 132 10.6 Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) 102 10.7 Walking Trails 103 13. SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION 134 10.7.1 Art and Sculpture Trails 104 10.8 Light Installations 105 13.1 Site visits 134 13.1.1 Urban planning team meeting - Gosford Think Tank 134 13.1.2 Discussion with Geoff Potter, librarian 134 11. RECOMMENDATIONS 107 13.1.3 Central Coast Council building and asset management team meeting 134 11.1 Introduction 107 13.1.4 Gosford Business Improvement District (GBID) meeting 134 11.2 General recommendations 107 13.1.5 Community, cultural development & placemaking team meeting 134 11.2.1 Branding 107 13.1.6 Urban planning team meeting - Gosford Think Tank 134 11.2.2 Links to community programs, partnerships for capacity building and social enterprises 107 13.1.7 Community development meeting 134 11.2.3 Interpretive collateral 107 13.2 Phone and email consultation 135 11.2.4 Interpretive Playing Cards/Story Cards 108 13.2.1 Steve Green - Transport Engineer, Central Coast Council, Gosford 135 11.2.5 Links with urban planning 108 13.2.2 Cobey Lindsley – Team Leader, Events, Central Coast Council,Gosford 135 11.2.6 Storytelling Toolkit 109 13.2.3 Steve Knee – Team Leader Youth Services, Central Coast Council, Gosford 135 11.3 Specific interpretation 109 13.2.4 Lynette Wheeler, Project Lead, Headspace, Gateway Centre, Mann Street, Gosford 135 11.3.1 Capacity building interpretation programs 109 13.2.5 Deborah Warwick, Manager Imperial Centre, William Street, Gosford 135 11.3.2 Recommendations 109 13.2.6 Brad Cardis, manager Fixx Events 135 11.3.2.1 Establish external funding sources 109 13.2.7 Melissa Metcalfe – Team Leader Senior Centres, Central Coast Council, Gosford 135 11.3.2.2 Reinforce community relationships through heritage interpretation 109 13.2.8 Sharon – Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS) 135 11.3.2.3 Actively participate in skill development 109 13.2.9 Sarah Anderson - Assistant Town Planner, NSW Transport 135 11.4 Built interpretation 110 13.2.10 Greg Mawson, Gosford RSL 135 11.4.1 Interpretive signs on heritage buildings 110 13.2.11 Kathy Sokk – CEO Gosford Regional Community Services and Rotary 135 11.4.2 Interactive signs – Kibble Park 111 13.2.12 Tracey Howie, Gurringai Guringai Tribal Link Aboriginal Corporation 136 11.4.3 Interpretive signs - bespoke 111 13.2.13 Laurie Maher – Coast Shelter 136 11.4.4 Interpretive signs on existing street furniture 112 13.2.14 Hillary Morris – CBD Law (Orion Café historic site) 136 11.4.5 Interpretive mural 112 13.2.15 Gabby Bowles – Central Coast Mariners 136 11.4.6 Interpretive shopfront displays 113 13.2.16 Neil Berecry-Brown - local resident 136 11.4.7 Painted shop awning designs 113 13.2.17 Community Environment Network 136 11.4.8 ‘Viewing portal’ sign posts 113 13.2.18 Susan Mallinson - Vocational Specialist, Headspace, Gateway Centre, Mann Street, Gosford 136 11.5 Non-built 114 13.2.19 Pam Williams - local historian 136 11.5.1 Heritage mobile website 114 11.5.2 Lighting installations 114 14. IMPLEMENTATION PHASES AND COSTINGS 138 11.5.3 Festivals and events 114 15. ENDNOTES 142 2018 © SHP - Page 4 Gosford CBD Heritage Interpretation Strategy Executive summary Executive summary Key outcomes Set the direction for how heritage interpretation can drive a new form of urban design. In 2017, Central Coast Council commissioned SHP The intention of the Strategy is to use heritage dentify the audiences for heritage interpretation.