The Minister for Lands, Hon Tony Kelly handed over the keys to the former Terrigal Tourism Office on Wednesday, 5th August. The building will be fitted out as the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre commencing immediately. It is planned that the Centre will open in December 2009 before the school holidays.


As a community facility, the CCMDC Board is keen to invite public comment ideas and suggestions for the interior fitout. A survey is available on the website. John Asquith, Convenor of the Centre said: " The survey will be an opportunity for public input and for business and community groups to have direct input. The Centre is great news for the Central Coast as it will bring many environmental, educational, economic and tourism benefits. We believe that everyone on the coast will benefit from this and we would like to thank our many supporters for their efforts"

The project is a partnership of many organisations and community groups. This includes; Community Environment Network, University of Newcastle, Department of Education, Terrigal Underwater Group, Ocean and Coastal Care Initiative and local businesses. The group has been campaigning for a Marine Centre on the Central Coast since 2004. The Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre will have displays, tourism information, student and community facilities as well as information on the unique marine environments of the Central Coast region.

Dr Bill Gladstone, Associate Professor in Marine Science at the University of Newcastle's Central Coast campus said "The Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre will position the Central Coast as a national centre for excellence in education and research about the marine environment and our sustainable use of its resources. The Centre will support education of primary, secondary and university students and produce our future marine leaders."