Kincumber, New South Wales

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 91 km 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". 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 19th century.

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 21st century.

Facilities
A high school, primary school, cinema- unfortunately closed down due to lack of funds for new lease, 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 was held by the Australian Labor Party's Belinda Neal. In 2010 the seat was won by Labour member Deborah O'Neill.

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.