Proposed Development for Catherine Hill Bay

A proposal to build hundreds of luxury apartments and dwellings at Catherine Hill Bay on the Central Coast is to be approved by the State Government after Planning Minister Frank Sartor accepted most of the modifications recommended by an independent planning panel.

The developer, “Rose Corp.” can build up to 787 dwellings at two sites on the Wallarah Peninsula which will mean a tenfold rise in the population of Catherine Hill Bay which is an old mining town currently comprising about 100 historic weatherboard cottages.

The Catherine Hill Progress Association which has fought against the proposal wanted the whole Peninsula to be declared a National Park.

Mr Sartor said the developer Rose Corp will dedicate approximately 305 hectares of land to the State Government and Lake Macquarie City Council, which will be added to the National Park system and local reserves. Mr Frank Sartor also said that the southern section of Catherine Hill Bay along with 1.8 kilometres of foreshore on the Crangan Bay at Lake Macquarie will be returned to public ownership. In addition the modified plans with involve new houses being constructed 40 metres back from the coastline and unit development contributions of up to $1 million for the local surf life saving club and $2.9 million for regional infrastructure.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald 3 September 2008

Wyong Shire Council’s Biggest Ever Budget

As reported in the Central Coast Express on 13 June 2008, Wyong Shire Council has adopted its biggest spending budget in its history with a $360 million management plan providing funding for infrastructure programs including the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan and the Mardi-Mangrove Creek Dam Link Pipeline. $3.3 million has also been set aside for new community buildings including The Entrance multi-purpose community centre and $1.4 million for improvements to Council’s holiday parks. The implementation of all these programs will result in a rate rise of approximately 5.5% with the average rate payer paying approximately $1,740 in rates which will include a $25 storm water levy.

Source: Central Coast Express 13 June 2008

Warnervale Town Centre

As reported in the Central Coast Business Review in July 2006, the NSW Minister for Planning Mr Frank Sartor has assured that Wyong Council will have an involvement in the planning process for the Warnervale's town centre although the Minister has now announced an independent consultant will now oversee the Warnervale town centre project. The minister has agreed to "call-in" the proposed Wyong Employment Zone (WEZ) as a matter of state significance as requested by Council.

The Warnervale town centre development is proposed to include supermarkets, department stores, retail and other community facilities and has been in the planning stage at Wyong Council for approximately four years.

The 624 hectare Wyong Employment Zone has the potential to generate approximately 6,000 jobs and the plan for this employment zone is well advanced.

Source: Central Coast Business Review July 2006

Approval for Gosford Development

The State Government has approved Spurbest Pty Ltd's development application for its controversial waterside project within the Gosford CBD. The NSW State Government which took over responsibility for the approval process for the site and has taken 18 months to come up with the final approval which will allow for 4 adjoining buildings ranging in height from 3 to 16 stories with a central courtyard. It is understood the development will comprise a total of 206 residential apartments with space for 269 cars and the development is to feature street level retail.

Source: Central Coast Business Review 26 September 2005

Hawkesbury River Sewage Study on Exhibition

As reported in the Central Coast Express Advocate on 25 February 2005 it has been revealed that an environmental impact study for the Hawkesbury River areas long promised sewage scheme is to go on public exhibition in March. The issue of funding of the scheme remains unresolved with Gosford City Council and Utilities Minister, Mr Frank Sartor, still in discussions over who is responsible for the cost of connecting Mooney Mooney and Cheero Point to the scheme. Meanwhile approximately 600 Brooklyn and Dangar Island properties will be connected by Sydney Water to a new sewage treatment plant that is to be built within the Brooklyn Village . Construction on the sewage treatment plant is due to start in December.

Regardless of the outcome of discussions regarding the connection of Gosford City properties, i.e. Mooney Mooney and Cheero Point, the Brooklyn and Dangar Island scheme is to go ahead regardless.

The study will be exhibited at Brooklyn Seniors Centre on 10 March between 4pm and 8pm and on 12 March between 8am and 1pm.

Section 94 Contributions

As reported in the Central Coast Express of 24 March 2004 a State Government taskforce is soon to deliver a report on the system of Section 94 Contributions, its failings and its likely future.

Section 94 Contributions exist under Section 94 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act which enables Council to collect funds from proposed developments for the provision of public services and facilities which are generally required in lieu of increased population brought about by the proposed new development. Examples of community facilities are child care centres, parks and sporting fields and upgrades to roads and traffic conditions. Section 94 does not cover water and sewage facilities. Council’s are empowered to collect Section 94 contributions only if an appropriate Section 94 contribution plan is in place. Where no contribution plan for a suburb exists then when a development application is lodged appropriate Section 94 funds cannot be collected from the developer or applicant.

Under Section 94 guidelines there must be an appropriate link between the proposed development, the amount of funds collected and the kinds of community facilities that are intended to be used for.

Bunnings Building Suppliers

As reported by the Central Coast Business review, Bunnings Building Suppliers, associate of Bunnings Warehouse Property Trust, has recently lodged a DA with Wyong Shire Council for a hardware store of approximately 8,400m² including bulky goods warehouse of about 13,000m² at Charmhaven.

The proposal is part of a plan to double the number of outlets throughout Australia. The proposed Charmhaven store will occupy a 5.4 hectare site on the Pacific Highway at an approximate cost of $11,000,000.

Ourimbah to be a University Town

As reported recently in the Central Coast Express plans to make Ourimbah a University town are now believed to be back on the agenda. Wyong's mayor, Mr Greg Best, apparently is not keen on the idea however is preparing to back moves for a state Government major planning study of Ourimbah.

Those backing the idea of a University town for Ourimbah have outlined special student accommodation, cafes and other entertainment facilities and even a Hotel and Conference Centre. Councillor Best has indicated he is aware of such initiatives but is not convinced that the character of the Ourimbah village should be changed significantly.

However he did support the idea of the study provided it was to be funded by the State Government. Councillor Best is already campaigning for additional Federal Government funding for additional places at the Central Coast Campus of the Newcastle University and believes it would a timely thing to conduct a town study as well. Wyong Council is also seeking support for increased Federal Government for the University Campus so as to create at least an extra 300 university places.

Central Coast University Campus currently has 2,500 students enrolled of which only 1,500 are full time. There are currently 3,800 TAFE students of whom only 1,400 are full time.