Old Sydney Town revamp: Owners lodge draft planning proposal to Central Coast Council

The highly anticipated revamp of the Old Sydney Town Precinct is moving forward as a draft planning proposal is lodged revealing plans for site of the vastly popular attraction.

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The highly-anticipated revamp of the Old Sydney Town precinct is a step closer with the owners revealing plans to build Australia’s first multicultural tourism resort.

World Cultural Tourism Village (WCTV) has revealed to the Express that a draft planning proposal has been submitted to Central Coast Council which “reimagines the Old Sydney Town”.

“The proposal seeks to reuse parts of Old Sydney Town, incorporating them into a contemporary and exciting mixed use precinct, which would become Australia’s first multicultural tourism resort and entertainment hub of this scale and diversity,” a spokeswoman from WCTV said.

Masterplan for Old Sydney Town precinct by owners World Cultural Tourism Village

The draft planning proposal amends zoning controls at the site.

“Following consultation with the community throughout 2019, the landowner WCTV will now work with council on progressing the proposal and developing a place-based strategy for the area.”

WCTV purchased the 120 hectare site in 2018 for more than $20 million, including five parcels of land.

This encompassed the defunct 1970s heritage theme park as well as the region’s premier tourist destination, the Australian Reptile Park and surrounding land.

Old Sydney Town: Looking across the "Sydney Cove". Picture courtesy of Gostalgia, Central Coast Council Library Services.

Ahhh … the memories. Old Sydney Town Actor Vince Wren plays the Town Crier. Picture courtesy of Gostalgia, Central Coast Council Library Services.

The spokeswoman said the redevelopment of Old Sydney Town was a unique opportunity for the coast due to “significant investment, major new employment opportunities for the local community, and delivering a major boost to the social and economic infrastructure for the region”.

“Importantly, the current proposal seeks to not only maintain but improve the Australian Reptile Park to create a unique Australian learning and recreational centre with improved amenities, conservation and tourism experiences,” she said.

Community consultation on the former Old Sydney Town site started in May 2019.

If the planning proposal is approved by council, it will proceed to the NSW Government’s Gateway process and then be placed on public exhibition for further community consultation.

“WCTV will be working closely with council, government agencies and the community to secure this important outcome for the Central Coast region and looks forward to co-operating with future investors and operators to progress the project as soon as the planning pathway has been approved,” she said.