Kincumber, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Kincumber
city = Central Coast
state = nsw


caption =
lga = City of Gosford
postcode = 2251
pop = 7,140 (2006 census)
area = 8.0
est =
parish = Kincumber
stategov = Terrigal
fedgov = Robertson
dist1 = 12 | dir1 = SE | location1= Gosford
dist2 = 7 | dir2 = WSW | location2= Terrigal
dist3 = 91 | location3= Sydney
near-nw = Green Point
near-n = Green Point
near-ne = Picketts Valley
near-w = Yattalunga
near-e = Avoca Beach
near-sw = Kincumber South
near-s = Macmasters Beach
near-se = Copacabana

Kincumber is a south-eastern suburb of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, nested between the Kincumba Mountain Reserve and the local waterway and located convert|91|km|mi|0|lk=on north of Sydney via the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway (F3). It is part of the City of Gosford local government area.

A nature reserve, Kincumba Mountain, is located within the suburb and is often used by the community for various functions, including picnicking, bush-walking, orienteering, parties, and carnivals.

History

The name stems from the local Aboriginal name of "Kincumba" meaning "towards the rising sun" or "to tomorrow". [cite web|url=http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/placenames.html|title=Placenames|author=Gosford City Library|accessdate=2007-07-21] A large open flat rock area at the highest plateau of Kincumba Mountain, which commands panoramic views of the region, was used by Kuringgai people as a meeting place and camp. Being the highest open position in the region, it was first to receive the morning sun as it broke over the eastern horizon Tasman Sea/Pacific Ocean, and so this area was also referred to as "towards tomorrow". Signs of habitation in the Kincumber area include axe-grinding grooves and rock engravings on Kincumba Mountain.

Due to the freshwater creek, water access from Brisbane Water and the Hawkesbury River, and an abundance of old rainforest timber in the surrounding valley hills, Kincumber was one of the earliest settlements on the Central Coast, supplying wood for the needs of the growing colony at Sydney in the early 1800s.

Boat building became an early local secondary industry after timber-getting, to meet the primary necessity of water transport. Boatbuilding along Kincumber Creek in Kincumber continued until the early 2000s.

Facilities

A high school, primary school, cinema, shopping centre with surf shop, library, and hotel and fast food outlets service the town and surrounding areas. Kincumber also lays claim to the nation's best Indian restaurant of 2004.

Over recent years petty crime has been a problem in the area, however following the installation of a council-run skate park and a legal graffiti wall, crime rates have decreased somewhat. Some local residents are committed to improving the area, and have held events aimed at bringing the community closer together, forming a progress association. A local youth centre has also been running projects to keep kids off the street, and in 2007 a new youth centre opened.

Politics

At a federal level, Kincumber is within the Division of Robertson. Previously held on a safe margin by Jim Lloyd of the Liberal Party, the seat changed hands in the 2007 Federal Election, and is now held by the Australian Labor Party's Belinda Neal. [cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/robe.htm|title=Robertson (Key Seat) - Green Guide|author=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=21 December 2007|accessdate=2008-01-29]

In the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Kincumber is within the electorate of Terrigal, currently held by Chris Hartcher of the Liberal Party.

Polling place statistics are presented below combining the votes from the "Kincumber", "Kincumber Central" and "Scaysbrook" polling places in the federal and state elections as indicated.

References

External links

* [http://www.kincumber.com/ Kincumber Business and Community website]
* [http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/Suburbs/documents/kincumber.html Kincumber history]