Gosford: Two tower “co-living” housing plans lodged for Watt St

Plans for two towers with 47 rooms have been proposed in the heart of Gosford to address the rental shortage. See what “co-living” housing means.

Plans have been lodged for two towers in Watt St Gosford for co-living housing.

Fresh plans have emerged for a two tower “co-living” housing development in the heart of Gosford to help with rental shortages.

A development application has been lodged for 47 rooms across six storey and eight storey buildings, along with a convenience store, at 18 Watt St.

The site has been subject to a number of plans over the years including an approved 44 room boarding house in 2019, with 14 storey and five storey towers, however it was deemed not financially viable.

In 2020, amended plans to reduce the size of one of the towers was refused by council.

The latest plans include demolishing the current house at the site to allow for a 47 room housing development with the six storey tower facing Watt St and the eight storey tower facing Keevers Lane.

Plans have been lodged for a two tower development in Watt St Gosford for co-living housing.

The highest point of the second tower would be 30.15m while there are also plans for a two level carpark.

The applicant states that a Co-Living Housing Developments are a new form of affordable rental housing introduced under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021.

It is defined as a place with at least six private rooms, the ability to provide occupants with a principle place of residence for at least three months, shared facilities and maintained by a managing agent.

“It is similar to ‘New Generation Boarding Houses, however are not managed by a Community Housing Provider,” the report states.

Boarding house plans at the site were approved in 2019 but did not go ahead.

Amended plans in 2020 were refused.

“Similarly, Co-Living Housing developments cannot be strata subdivided, and consequently preserved as rental accommodation.

“This (development) would provide for affordable accommodation for a potential maximum of 89 people.”

Tower 1 facing Watt St would have 17 self contained rooms all with an ensuite and kitchenette with 14 rooms including a balcony.

Tower 2 facing Keevers Lane would contain 30 self contained rooms, 12 with balconies, and three adaptable rooms on the ground floor.

Each tower would have one lift and a laundry with one common room in the six storey tower and two in the eight storey tower.

Artists impression of the plans to include a convenience store on Watt St.

The convenience store would double as a reception for accommodation inquires and operate between 7am to 10pm seven days a week.

The report states the aim of the proposal is to “provide a range of housing types to support a diverse and varied population, including key workers, students, young professionals and aged care” and address the rental shortage across the coast.

“Population groups to which this Co-Living Development is aimed at is the low waged working, and students. It differs from a Boarding House resident population in that they are typically more vulnerable to homelessness.

“The provision of this 47 room co-living development, particularly in the Gosford City (Employment) Centre will have a strong positive social, as well as economic, benefit to Gosford.”

The plans are currently under assessment with Central Coast Council.