Umina Beach, New South Wales

Umina Beach
Central Coast, New South Wales

Umina Beach from Mount Ettalong, showing Gosford in the distance
Coordinates 33°31′05″S 151°18′36″E / 33.518°S 151.310°E / -33.518; 151.310Coordinates: 33°31′05″S 151°18′36″E / 33.518°S 151.310°E / -33.518; 151.310
Population 16,059 (2011 census)[1]
 • Density 2,230/km2 (5,780/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 2257
Area 7.2 km2 (2.8 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s) City of Gosford
Parish Patonga
State electorate(s) Gosford
Federal Division(s) Robertson
Suburbs around Umina Beach:
Brisbane Water National Park Woy Woy Blackwall
Brisbane Water National Park Umina Beach Ettalong Beach
Pearl Beach Broken Bay Broken Bay

Umina Beach is a suburb within the City of Gosford local government area on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. By road, it is 90 kilometres (56 mi) north of Sydney and 111 kilometres (69 mi) south of Newcastle.

Umina Beach is locally known on the Central Coast as being on 'The Peninsula' (or ‘Woy Woy Peninsula'). A natural peninsula that includes the towns of Umina Beach, Ocean Beach, Woy Woy, Blackwall, Booker Bay and Ettalong Beach.[2] The main street, West Street, is the retail centre of The Peninsula with key national brands represented through Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Bunnings.

The Suburb of Umina Beach officially begins where Woy Woy and Blackwall end - at Veron Road & Gallipoli Avenue.

Umina Beach is the most populated suburb on the NSW Central Coast.

Geography

Umina Beach has one unbroken sand shoreline that has been divided in name only: Umina Beach (south western section) and Ocean Beach (north eastern section). Both beaches have their own Surf Life Saving Club (refer to Sports Clubs section). The only other type of shoreline is located at Umina Point (Mt Ettymalong), a Hawkesbury Sandstone headland that adjoins to the south western end of Umina Beach.

Umina Beach is geographically located on the north side of Broken Bay at the river mouth of Hawkesbury River. The formation of Umina Beach and 'The Peninsula' is due to sand deposition that has been influenced by (and not limited to) climatic conditions, soil-binding flora, Hawkesbury Sandstone formations (e.g.; Box Head, Barrenjoey and Umina Point), wave patterns and tidal amplitude from the Tasman Sea, Hawkesbury River and Brisbane Water.

History

The word "Umina" was derived from the Australian Aboriginal word meaning Place of sleep.[3]

The Woy Woy and Umina district was home to the Guringai Australian Aboriginal tribe. This tribe stretched from the north side of Port Jackson, north through Pittwater, Broken Bay and Brisbane Water, to the southern end of Lake Macquarie.[4]

European entry to the region was first recorded in March 1788 when Governor Arthur Phillip landed with a party at Ettalong Beach. In June 1789, a more thorough investigation of Brisbane Water was conducted. A rest stop was made at Ettalong Beach before the group passed through 'The Rip' (a dangerous passage leading into Brisbane Water). On return, the party camped at Ettalong Beach before sailing to Dangar Island in the Hawkesbury River.[4]

The first land subdivision occurred in 1914 which led to the current commercial and residential centre. Umina Beach celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014.

Schools

Umina Beach is served by two public schools, Umina Public School (primary school)[5] and Brisbane Water Secondary College(high school).[6]

Opened on 3 February 1956, Umina Public School's population approximates 800 students and 50 staff. It currently has 29 classes from kindergarten to year 6.[5]

Business

Umina Beach town centre is represented by the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce which is affiliated with the NSW Business Chamber. The Chamber has undertaken a successful long term program to attract key national businesses to the town centre including Woolworths, Coles, Bunnings Hardware, Aldi Supermarkets and McDonalds all of which are represented in the town centre. McDonalds opened the Umina Beach store in 2013. Business is centred on the thriving West Street which runs parallel to the beachfront and provides a range of retail services to the large residential catchment. The town includes a range of facilities including several large medical practices, the Umina Library, service stations and supermarkets.

Transport Links

Umina Beach is well serviced by regular bus services (Busways) with connections to Woy Woy Rail Station and Gosford. The town centre is easily accessed with an efficient grid system of connecting roads with primary access from Ocean Beach Road, West Street and Barrenjoey Road. Substantial car parking facilities adjacent to the town centre contribute to its success as a retail hub.

Media

Community Papers:

Radio Broadcasting:

Umina Beach is locally serviced by the national public broadcaster, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, via ABC Local Radio 2BL/T 92.5 FM.

Commercial licences covering Umina Beach are:[10]

(Call Sign/On-Air Identification/Licensee/Parent Company)

2CCH, Hits N Country 94.1 FM, owned by Central Coast Broadcasters Ltd, ceased operation on 21 November 2007 when their last Community Radio Broadcaster licence expired. They withdrew an application to renew the licence.[16] The new license holder (a permanent license was obtained on 8 April 2010) is 2CCM, todayscountry94one (94.1FM), operated by Coast Community Broadcasters Inc.[17]

Analogue FM and AM signals can be received from Sydney and Newcastle. As a result, Umina Beach is located within the most saturated radio market in Australia.

As of August 2010, there was no launch date known for Digital Radio services for the Central Coast.[18][19]

Sports fields

Umina Oval, located at the end southern end of Melbourne Avenue, is the home ground for four pitch team sports: Soccer, Rugby League, Cricket[20] and Tennis.[21]

McEvoy Oval, located at the western end of McEvoy Avenue, is used for Track and Field Athletics, Touch Football and Cricket.[20]

Sports clubs

Community Groups

Notable residents

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Umina Beach (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  2. "Umina Beach". Destination NSW. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  3. Pratt, Eileen Placenames of the Central Coast: origins and meanings, B.W.H.S. (Gosford 1978)
  4. 1 2 History of Woy Woy at Gosford City Council
  5. 1 2 Umina Public School Official website
  6. Brisbane Water Secondary College Official website
  7. Peninsula News Official website
  8. Cumberland Courier Newspapers Official website
  9. List of newspapers in Australia Wikipedia
  10. ACMA Commercial & Community Radio Broadcasters Official website
  11. Coast FM 96.3 Official website
  12. Sea FM 101.3 Official website
  13. 2GO Official website
  14. Star FM 104.5 Official website
  15. Radio Five-O-Plus Official website
  16. ACMA Media Release Official website
  17. Official website
  18. Digital Radio Plus Official website
  19. Digital Radio in Australia Wikipedia
  20. 1 2 Gosford City Council Grounds and Seasonal Activities Official website
  21. Gosford City Council Tennis Courts Official website
  22. Ocean Beach Malibu Club Official website
  23. Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club Official website
  24. Ocean Beach Surfers Association Official website
  25. Umina Beach Bowling Club Ltd Official website
  26. Umina Beach Rugby League Football Club Official website
  27. 1 2 Gosford City Council Media Release "Col Gooley Field official opening" Official website
  28. 1 2 Central Coast Division Rugby League Official website
  29. Umina Junior Rugby League Football Club Official website
  30. Central Coast Division Junior Rugby League Official website
  31. Umina Beach Netball Club Official website
  32. Umina Beach "Bunnies" Netball Club Registration & Club Information Official website
  33. Woy Woy Peninsula Netball Associations Official website Netball NSW
  34. Umina Boardriders Official website
  35. Umina Cricket Club Official website
  36. Umina Beach Surf Life Saving Club Official website
  37. Umina United Soccer Club Official website
  38. Central Coast Football Official website
  39. Central Coast Little Athletics Official website
  40. Woy Woy Peninsula Little Athletics Centre Official website
  41. Umina Community Group Official website
  42. Umina Beach Men's Shed Official website
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