Hi Sagosgirl.

A few factors for the coast:

No jobs, no infrastructure projects/government spending, very low population growth.

Gosfords LGA grew by .8% per annum from 2006-2011.

It grew by .5% in 2010/11. The 98th fastest growth rate in the State – ABS 3218.0 Regional Population Growth 

Building Approvals /  Mean Values / Proportion of Population receiving a Centrlink age pension
2006 – 1300          $238,500          13%
2007 – 1197          $259,100          13%
2008 – 1049          $259,200          13%
2009 –   710          $264,100          14%
2010 – 1056          $238,100          14%

1379.0.55.001 National Regional Profile, Central Coast, 2006-2010

We are included in the Sydney Statistical Division. Some comparison's.

                    Unemployment
                    CC          SYD
2006          6.6          4.6
2007          6.1          4.6
2008          5.7          4.2
2009          6.8          5.6
2010          6.7          5.6

                    Median Wages
                    CC          SYD                   +/-         
2006          $38,190          $46,425          -17.8%
2007          $39,222          $48,428          -19.0%
2008          $40,523          $50,136          -19.2%
2009          $42,849          $52,325          -18.1%
2010          –                     –                     –

Not much happening here.

To summarise bluntly.

1. We are building less houses than 2006.
2. Our population is growing negligibly. 
3. In 2009 our unemployment was 20% higher than the Sydney Statistical Division. 21% Higher in 2010.
4. The mean house value in 2010 was less than in 2006.
5. Our median wage is approximately 20% less than Sydney.

Although it is a nice place to live; it appears that the majority would rather the other end of the statistics instead of the Coast's lifestyle.

Hope this helps.