Gwandalan medical centre: Central Coast Council approves DA

A medical centre has been approved in a quiet residential street in Gwandalan amid warnings of crime and traffic congestion.

Aerial view of the site of an approved medical centre in Rosemeadow Drive, Gwandalan

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A MEDICAL CENTRE has been approved in a residential area of Gwandalan.

Central Coast Council approved the medical centre at 24-26 Rosemeadow Drive at last night’s council meeting.

The development application was brought to the meeting due to the number of objections, including a petition with 280 signatures against the centre.

Local resident Bobby Locker highlighted local concerns including traffic and parking congestion in the narrow street, along with safety concerns due to the number of children in the area.

The former police officer said medical centres also had the potential to attract crime, in particular drug related crimes, break-ins and assaults.

“Medical centres tend to have an increased crime rate,” he said.

The residential neighbourhood

“The use of ice on the Central Coast is beyond proportions, the potential danger is exponentially increased.”

Applicant Paul Muthiah said the Gwandalan area was identified by Medicare as having a doctor shortage.

“Having worked on the Central Coast for six years, there is still an urgent need especially with growth in population and development,” he said.

He denied the potential for increased crime, saying there would not be a pharmacy on site.

The State Environmental Planning Policy Infrastructure (SEPP) permits medical centres in low density residential zones.

Councillor Doug Vincent said council should push back on the SEPP,

“People have bought property in quiet little residential area,” he said.