Mount Penang Parklands: Kariong plan for fast food highway hub to go before planning panel
A controversial $8.5m DA for three popular fast food restaurants and a tyre shop in Mount Penang Parklands has made a return.
Central Coast
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A scaled-down version of a the Highway Commercial Precinct development at Mount Penang Parklands in Kariong has made a return.
The $8.5m development application (DA), lodged by Parklands Kariong Development Pty Ltd, is for a six-lot subdivision to include fast food outlets McDonalds, Oporto and Taco Bell as well as a Bridgestone tyre outlet. The DA also proposes “left in/left out” access onto Central Coast Highway.
A similar application, which included an eight-lot subdivision for the 5.7ha site, received fierce community backlash and was refused by Central Coast Council in May 2019.
The new DA is coming before the Central Coast Local Planning Panel on Thursday after receiving 150 submissions with 81 objections and 34 letters of support.
While some stated the development would generate local jobs and “end the shopping monopoly” in Kariong, others indicated the DA offered limited community value and should include a supermarket and childcare facilities as opposed to fast food outlets close to schools.
One of the main objections related to traffic, with locals stating the Central Coast Highway was already at capacity.
Council staff have strongly recommended the DA be refused due to refusals by Transport for NSW as well as the Heritage Council of NSW, along with issues around community concerns, heritage and a lack of information.
Transport for NSW indicated “the creation of a new access point to the Central Coast Highway will compromise the effective and ongoing operation and function of the Central
Coast Highway”.
Mount Penang Parklands is listed on the State Heritage Register as the site of the former Mount Penang Juvenile Justice Centre and also has two groups of Scribbly Gums classed as “high landscape significance”.
The applicant indicates the restaurants would operate 24/7 and would employ 140-180 full time, part time, and casual staff.
“The proposed development will generate employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases and will extend the range of goods and services available to those living and working in the area,” the applicant stated in the DA report.
“The proposal will not prejudice other businesses in the precinct, being primarily located to service commuters and local residents on their return journeys home.”
The applicant stated the location was idea due to existing road network of commuters accessing the M1 as well as exposure aspects.
The panel will meet on Thursday at 2pm.
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