Karalta Rd: Changes lodged for apartment plans opposite Erina Fair

Changes have been made to an apartment complex set to be build opposite Erina Fair. See what’s proposed.

Altered plans for an apartment complex opposite Erina Fair at 91 Karalta Rd have been submitted to Central Coast Council.

Changes have been proposed to long awaited plans for an apartment complex opposite Erina Fair shopping centre.

Plans for 51 apartments are already approved for 91 Karalta Rd, however the developers are hoping to modernise the housing to fit in with the current market.

A total of 18 change have been put to Central Coast Council, including the addition of lifts, reorientation and changes to the layouts of certain units and replacing dedicated garages with carparking.

The overall building footprints of the apartment blocks have become narrower with podium pedestrian bridges introduced between the eastern and western buildings.

The developer states that the proposed changes “will not materially alter the nature of the development” which was initially approved by the council in 2018.

The plans for 51 apartments have changed to modernise the development.

“This will result in an improved and more efficient residential design that will more adequately meet the changing needs of the housing market and increasing demand in the local

residential precinct,” planning documents state.

“The building envelope and footprint remains generally the same and is consistent with the approved plans.

“A well designed development will become a key part to positively influencing the living environment of Erina Regional Centre and will most likely encourage others to follow.

“The development will also contribute to the revitalisation of the local precinct and activate similar scale developments.”

Artists impression of the development.

The changed plans comes after the Hunter Central Coast Regional Planning Panel’s decision to reject the ambitious $43 million to create a major residential unit complex at 89-91 Karalta Rd.

The plans, lodged in November 2020, included demolition of the existing two homes to make way for four buildings ranging in height from three-four storeys to house 131 units, private terraces, common landscaped areas and up to two levels of basement parking.

The panel found while the site was well located for a residential flat building and affordable housing, the “proposed development has not appropriately considered the site context and constraints, nor responded to the landscape character of the area sufficiently”.

The bulk, scale and siting of the proposal is not supported,” the panel stated in its determination to refuse the DA.

The updated plans for 91 Karalta Rd are on exhibition with Central Coast Council.