Regional Planning Panel approves hospital, rejects Canton Beach units
A State Government planning panel has been considering two major Central Coast developments for months and has finally handed down its decision.
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- Plans unveiled for new $23 million Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital
- Wyong Hospital to remain in public hands
A CANTON BEACH development for four residential towers has been refused, while final approval has been given to Tuggerah Lakes Private hospital.
The Hunter and Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel has unanimously refused the shoptop housing development on Beach Parade and Jasmine Close in Canton Beach. The $37 million proposal included 111 residential units over a podium level with shops, pool and parking.
It was refused due to flooding concerns and impacts on surrounding residential properties, including courtyards, on three of the four proposed buildings, overlooking homes.
In the decision, the Panel stated that a new proposal addressing flooding issues, access from Beach Parade and orientation over private property “may form the basis of an acceptable proposal”.
At the Panel meeting held in Wyong, Tuggerah Lakes Private hospital was given unanimous approval with site clearing to commence in the next month.
The $23 million hospital development, lodged by Healthe Care Australia, will be located directly opposite Wyong Public Hospital on the Pacific Highway in Kanwal.
Healthe Care’s Central Coast regional manager Matt Kelly said the final approval allowed them to consider a date for construction to begin. In July, Healthe Care Australia missed out on the private tender process for Wyong Hospital.
“Having a private hospital is much more palatable,” Mr Kelly said.
“We are hoping we will start clearing the site in two to four weeks with the first patient to enter the hospital in October 2018. It’s really exciting, and having it directly across the road from the public hospital is a fantastic location.”
He said 35 per cent of patients from Gosford Private Hospital were from the Wyong area.
“Doctors working at Gosford Private are excited to be able to look after their patients closer to home,” he said. “It will be much better for those patients and their families.”
The facility will cater for day surgery and short-stay patients for specialties including orthopedics, gastroenterology, plastics, urology, general surgery and vascular.
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