Central Coast developments set to shape the region over the next 10 years

World-class developments worth billions of dollars are on the cards from hotel/residential towers to revamped shopping centres. Here’s a look at what’s to come.

Just some of the developments set to shape the Central Coast over the next decade

While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the development industry, the Central Coast has a lot to look forward to over the next decade.

From massive hotel/residential towers to a fresh makeover for the Old Sydney Town site and shopping centre redevelopments, major developments are continuing to roll in.

John Singleton’s Bonython Tower has set a high standard for Gosford and the promise of world-class developments have followed with the Gosford Alive, The Archibald and Central Coast Quarter.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the developments that will shape our region.

GOSFORD’S NOTORIOUS HOLE, 86 JOHN WHITEWAY DRIVE

It’s been Gosford’s ugly ‘hole in the ground’ for at least 20 years and now the site passed by thousands of commuters everyday on Henry Parry Drive is set to become a parcel of luxury.

The site at 86 John Whiteway Drive will be transformed into the $60m Sapphire development, with 97 apartments spread across three towers, along with a pool and gymnasium.

The project has started and a crane is expected to be at the site in March. Domain Property Group are selling apartments off the plan.

Gosford's biggest and longest running ‘hole in the ground’ on Henry Parry Drive. Picture: Mark Scott

How it will look ... the Sapphire development will transform the notorious site.

The site has been plagued by failed developments over the years. The most recent was in May 2018, when previous owners Gosford Property Developments indicated plans for the highly-anticipated Waterview Apartments would not go ahead due to financial issues.

Many people who bought off the plan for Waterview have hung on and hope to be rewarded with Sapphire.

The development has a completion date of April, 2022.

THE ARCHIBALD, GOSFORD

It has been hailed as “Gosford’s most significant transformation” – featuring a dazzling rooftop bar, apartments, hotel, restaurants and shops.

The $400 million Archibald Development — formerly known as Mariners Plaza — will be a two-tower development which will include 300 apartments, a premium hotel with 167 suites, and a rooftop bar on the corner of Mann and Donnison streets.

The towers will be 25 and 26 storeys and will also include retail shops, bars and restaurants designed to create a vibrant downtown hub.

The Archibald Development - a $400 million two-tower development for Gosford.

The development was initially approved in May 2015 by the Hunter and Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel.

Back then it was the vision of developer Peter Zhu, however the owners of The Archibald have kept their identity confidential, referring to themselves as a “consortium of high network individuals”.

The project’s architect, Nigel Dickson, said none of the current developments in the CBD would have the “sheer magnitude” or impact on the city’s future like The Archibald.

INFAMOUS OLD SYDNEY TOWN SITE, SOMERSBY

There’s not too many people who don’t have a memory from Old Sydney Town.

The Somersby site still resembles the former colonial attraction, however is now a neglected overgrown eyesore.

World Cultural Tourism Village purchased the 120 hectare site, which includes the Australian Reptile Park, in 2018 for more than $20 million and has big plans to build Australia’s first multicultural tourism resort. While there is no timeline at this stage, there is movement on the project.

In August 2020, WCTV exclusively revealed to the Express that a draft planning proposal had been submitted to Central Coast Council which “reimagines the Old Sydney Town”.

A sight many remember fondly. Picture courtesy of Gostalgia, Central Coast Council Library Services.

“The proposal seeks to reuse parts of Old Sydney Town, incorporating them into a contemporary and exciting mixed-use precinct, which would become Australia’s first multicultural tourism resort and entertainment hub of this scale and diversity,” a spokeswoman from WCTV said.

“Importantly, the current proposal seeks to not only maintain but improve the Australian Reptile Park to create a unique Australian learning and recreational centre with improved amenities, conservation and tourism experiences.”

CENTRAL COAST QUARTER, GOSFORD

The highly-anticipated Central Coast Quarter development for Gosford received the green light in August 2020.

The three-tower development, hailed as a hotel/entertainment destination, is valued at $150 million.

The St Hilliers plan for the southern end of Mann St includes three towers between eight and 24 storeys to include a quality hotel, 295 residential apartments and commercial premises to include restaurants, shops, bars and cafes.

An aArtist’s impression of the development from the Brian McGowan Bridge in Gosford.

It will be developed in three stages between now and 2025, and is expected to generate 375 construction and 75 operational jobs.

The first stage will include the central tower which will house the hotel, while stage two includes the southern building with residential and commercial and stage three the northern building also housing residential and commercial.

The development is expected to attract more visitors and new business, along with employment, high quality apartments and a public plaza with links to the Gosford CBD and waterfront.

GOSFORD ALIVE

Another highly-anticipated project for Gosford – and the coast – is the Gosford Alive development at the Kibbleplex shopping centre site.

The site has had a tumultuous history with the Lederer Group withdrawing the initial Gosford Alive DA in 2018 when the former Gosford Council’s significant floor space and height sweeteners to stimulate development were axed by the State Government. A revised and sleeker set of plans was resubmitted in 2019.

What is could look like ... the Gosford Alive development on the old Kibbleplex Shopping Centre site.

In October 2020, the $345 million plan for five towers was approved by the NSW Independent Planning Commission after tower heights were reduced and narrowed.

The Lederer Group’s development includes more than 700 apartments spread over the five towers, with stepped height designs, with the tallest tower to remain at 101 metres.

The mixed-use development, which will include commercial and residential uses as well as pedestrian links, is expected to create 354 construction and 211 operational jobs once fully complete.

It is expected to take 10 years to complete.

FOODTOWN, UMINA BEACH

Residents of the peninsula were relieved to see the burnt out old Foodtown site finally demolished at the end of last year.

Site owner and millionaire pub mogul Arthur Laundy is set to make his mark on the area with the construction on a new shopping complex, valued between $10-$12 million, at the Ocean Beach Rd site.

Foodtown in Umina Beach has finally been demolished after being destroyed by fire in January 2019. Picture: Sue Graham

It comes after a 10-year hold up which saw Mr Laundy at loggerheads with the council over the purchase of a laneway which ran through the site.

In March 2020, councillors finally voted to sell Mr Laundy the road at an independent valuer’s price so construction could begin.

Pluim Group, based on the coast, has been tasked with the development which will include three new buildings for retail and speciality retailers, a drive-thru bottle shop, 92 carparking spaces.

In 2020, Mr Laundy’s son Craig told the Express they were excited to build something the coast will be proud of.

A $2.2 million upgrade to West Gosford Shopping Complex is in the works.

Meanwhile the rundown West Gosford Shopping Centre has also been approved for its $2.2 million upgrade.

The revamp of the rundown site, which greets visitors as they come down the hill from Kariong, includes a Hungry Jacks and 121-space childcare centre, along with improved parking and a fresh look.

It’s the $300 million plan that could transform a small shopping centre into the Central Coast’s largest development.

Artist's impressions of the $300 million redevelopment of Lakeside Plaza at The Entrance.

However, there is a cloud of doubt over whether the Lakeside Plaza twin-tower development at The Entrance will ever go ahead.

The owners Dunnet Properties had until the end of 2020 to start construction after lodging an application in December 2019 to stagger demolition of the existing buildings over three stages.

The DA received conceptual approval by the Hunter Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel in December 2015.

Plans include a shopping centre, 250 residential units in one tower on the corner of The Entrance Rd and Dening St; 110 units and a 100 hotel rooms in a second tower on the corner of Taylor and Dening streets and 36 residential apartments over three levels above a retail/restaurant podium fronting The Entrance Rd.

The development was expected to generate more than 600 full-time jobs when completed.

The Express has contacted Dunnet Properties for an update.

LEAGUES CLUB FIELD, GOSFORD

The Leagues Club Field upgrade, hailed to be NSW’s most exciting and unusual playground, on the Gosford waterfront is nearing completion.

The State Government’s $10 million redevelopment of the field will open this summer.

The transformation includes a nature-inspired space with new picnic areas and amenities, walkways, inclusive playground and water play areas.

The water areas will work in with the tide from Brisbane Water, and have a maximum depth of 280mls.

The Leagues Club Field redevelopment will open this summer.

The indigenous history of the area is also being marked with the installation of sandstone animal islands which are based on local site carvings.

“The tidal pool is a standout feature of Leagues Club Field,” Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch said.

“At night, the Aboriginal art poles will light up and create a vibrant space for our community to enjoy.”

Many locals hope the development of this area prompts more action on the tired old Gosford waterfront.

BILLION-DOLLAR PROMISE FOR TUGGERAH

We couldn’t round out this feature without mentioning the $2.8 billion proposal for Tuggerah announced back in February 2019.

While it has been hailed as a 35-year plan, the staggered concept plan is still a hot topic with the promise of 5000 new homes or units, 10,000 jobs and more than 70 hectares of land to be harnessed.

Scentre Group, the company behind Westfield, unveiled the plan almost two years ago which includes the redevelopment of Westfield Tuggerah, the land surrounding it and the adjoining land that lies between the shopping centre and the M1 motorway.

There’s also a $700 million package that includes a massive upgrade and expansion of Tuggerah station into a transport interchange.

The expansive Tuggerah Town Centre plans by Scentre Group.

Former NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, representatives from Westfield, the Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation, Darkinjung local Aboriginal land council and the Scentre Group signed a Heads of Agreement at the announcement.

At the time, Mr Roberts said many residents had suggested the northern suburbs of the coast had been forgotten.

“Let me tell you I never forgot the north,” he said. “Opportunities like this proposal have the potential to realise the profound life-changing prospects for people of this community today and for generations to come.”

The Express has contacted Scentre Group for an update on progression of the concept plan.