Biodiversity Strategy - Gosford City Council - NSW Government

Bensville and Davistown (Ben Davis), Blackwall (Rock Davis), Cockle Creek (Edward) and
Terrigal (Thomas Davis). Between 1829 and 1953, 500 vessels were built in the region (Fisher
1997). Also, from the 1830s on, shells were collected from aboriginal middens and large natural
shell deposits and were sent to the Sydney and Hawkesbury settlements for limeburner's
powder. This powder was mixed with lime and water to make mortar for building.
Figure 4.6 On the Mirror, Erina Creek (Central Coast Photo Library
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At the head of Brisbane Water, on land between Erina and Narara Creeks, a government
township was laid out in the 1830s (GCC library). It was planned to be called Point Frederick but
when the survey plan was approved the then Governor decided it should be called ‘Gosford’.
Other early townships in the Gosford District were at East Gosford, Kincumber and Blackwall
(near Woy Woy) where the main shipbuilding yard was located.
From 1824, a citrus industry developed in the Narara Wyoming area with the produce
transported by sea to Sydney. Land developers promoted subdivisions in the area in the 1880s
such as one known as the Gosford Model Farms scheme. However the depression of the 1890s
led to limited sales. As roads were developed, farming spread to Somersby Plateau and this
area became important for citrus growing, producing over a third of the state’s citrus crop in
1928 (GCC library).
Until the late 1880s major transportation was by water. The establishment of a rail connection to
Sydney in 1889 required overcoming some major engineering challenges such as a crossing of
the Hawkesbury River and tunneling such as from Wondabyne to Woy Woy. After Sydney was
connected by rail a local tourist industry developed, particularly in the Woy Woy area.
Construction of the Pacific Highway commenced in 1920 and was completed in 1930. The
replacing of the Hawkesbury River car ferries by a new road bridge in 1945 made travel to and
from the city much easier and quicker and from then on weekenders began to flourish. The
electrification of the rail link in the early 1960s and construction of Sydney-Newcastle bypass
and expressway in 1965 further improved accessibility to the area.
In terms of local governance, Erina Shire Council was formed in 1907 and Woy Woy Shire was
formed in 1928. The Municipality of Gosford was formed in 1936 as a breakaway from Erina
Shire, this included the Gosford township, East Gosford, and settlements on West side of
Brisbane Water (Geoff Potter GCC pers comm. 13/12/05). In 1947, the Shires of Gosford and
Wyong were established, dissolving the previous shires. The City of Gosford was established in
1980.
Biodiversity - Technical Report Page 91