Construction deadline looms for $300m twin-tower plan at Lakeside Plaza, The Entrance
It’s the $300m plan to transform a small shopping centre into the Central Coast’s largest development. But the monstrous twin-tower development is in a race against the clock to start construction.
Central Coast
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The proponent behind a $300 million twin-tower plan to transform a small shopping centre at The Entrance into the largest development on the Central Coast has until the end of the year to start construction.
Last month the owners of Lakeside Plaza lodged an application to stagger the demolition of the existing buildings over three stages.
The latest bid to modify the plans comes as the deadline for the ambitious 113.8m high twin towers looms large, with the original development consent set to lapse on December 14.
The Hunter Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) gave conceptual approval of the staged mixed-used redevelopment of the site in December 2015.
Since then Paradigm Planning and Development Consultants — acting on behalf of the owner Dunnet Properties and The Entrance Plaza Pty Ltd — sought two further modifications to the original application.
Last month the consultants applied for a third modification to further stagger the demolition of existing buildings into three “sub-stages” that would be carried out before the first stage of major construction could begin.
The twin towers plan would 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.
It would also include landscaping, a public area “piazza”, 1325 parking spaces and two pools.
It is expected to generate more than 600 full-time jobs when completed, with other work created during construction.
The original concept was approved under legacy planning laws designed by then-Wyong Shire Council to stimulate development of 32 “key sites” at The Entrance, Wyong, Long Jetty, Toukley, Kanwal, Lake Haven and Warnervale.
Under the “key sites” plan developers were offered extra height and staged developer contribution payments in return for design excellence, green building design and developments that would provide significant public infrastructure like cycleways, public art and community facilities.
Among the sites were such key locations as Warnervale Airport, Wyong Leagues Club, Wyong Racecourse, Dunleith Tourist Park and Diggers club at The Entrance, and Long Jetty Town Centre.
A spokesman for Dunnet Properties was yet to return calls.