Arthur Laundy’s fury: Umina Foodtown site stalled
It’s been seven months since fire destroyed Umina’s Foodtown, and pub baron Arthur Laundy is ready to roll with a new shopping centre. This is the “ludicrous” reason nothing has happened.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Central Coast teacher charged over alleged sex with student
- Central Coast Local Planning Panel will be in place by 2020
Millionaire pub baron Arthur Laundy is desperate to develop Foodtown at Umina Beach.
The site has been a fire damaged, fenced off and heavily graffitied eyesore since fire ripped through the premises more than seven months ago.
“We are DA approved and desperate to spend $10-$11 million with a local builder to build something that is three times bigger than is currently on the site,” Mr Laundy told the Express.
“It will create a truckload of additional jobs, and have a medical centre, shopping centre and more parking.”
The DA for the development was approved in 2010 by the former Gosford City Council, however council issued a condition of consent that Mr Laundy purchase the run down roadway running through the development.
When Mr Laundy and council couldn’t agree on a price, they had an independent valuation on the road sale and came to an agreement. However when the former Gosford and Wyong council merged, Central Coast Council backtracked on the deal and told Mr Laundy they would revert back to their original inflated price.
“We can’t do anything until council honour its commitment,” Mr Laundy said.
“That’s what we are frustrated about. The irony of it is we can build the thing without the road. However they have made a condition in the DA that we have to buy the road.
“All of this has been compounded by the fact it has burnt down and is an absolute eyesore.
“Every way you turn on this, it’s ludicrous and frustrating. It’s holding back development and jobs on the peninsula.”
He said if the delays continue, there was the option of lodging a Section 96 application to remove the condition regarding the road.
The issue will be raised at tonight’s Central Coast Council meeting in Wyong.
“Councillor Richard Mehrtens has taken the lead and I hope he and fellow councillors can see that this situation is ludicrous and direct council to honour its prior commitment and let us get cracking,” Mr Laundy said.
A Central Coast Council spokesman confirmed the DA was approved in 2010.
“The owner has not notified council of any further intentions regarding the site,” he said.
“The conditions of consent indicate that consolidation of all lots, including closed roads, is required.
“A security fence has been erected around the site since the fire in January and there are no known safety concerns at this time.”
