Toukley’s tallest building hailed as ‘shot of adrenaline’ desperately needed to kickstart the town

A $60 million development application for Toukley’s tallest building has been lauded as the “shot of adrenaline’’ desperately needed to kickstart the town.

Artist's impressions of the $60m Rustrum development at Toukley.

A $60 million development application for Toukley’s tallest building has been lauded as the “shot of adrenaline’’ desperately needed to kickstart the town.

Toukley-based developer Rustrum Pty Ltd has lodged a development application for Lakeside Gardens with Central Coast Council after the former Wyong Council adopted a masterplan for the Main Rd site last year.

The 10-storey building would take in both lake and ocean views and boast 79 residential units, 41 tourism apartments, commercial floor space, a ground-floor restaurant and 168 car parking spaces.

Rustrum director Morris Wheeler, who has wanted to develop the site since 2002, said the application marked a new era of urban renewal for Toukley because it was an “undiscovered gem” sitting on the stunning northern lakes.

Known as the Rustrum site, it was the first of seven identified iconic development sites selected by the council to stimulate wider regeneration of the area.

Rustrum have been working closely with the council since 2009 to create a building in keeping with the area’s strategic plan.

“The development application has been a long time coming,’’ Mr Wheeler said.

“Toukley has needed a kickstart for a long time.’’

Mr Wheeler said the development was sensitively designed­ to integrate with and revitalise the adjoining Toukley Gardens Park, which will be extended through to Rowland Terrace with new pedestrian and cycle access from Main Rd to the Osbourne Park waterfront.

He said Rustrum held a design­ competition to attract “high calibre and innovative proposals” for the site and, after viewing submissions from four leading architects, selected Newcastle firm dwp|suters.

Project manager Terry Roche said the development would provide greater housing choice to prospective owner-occupiers and investors.

“It will have 120 modern apartments in a location that allows all residents to enjoy all that coastal waterfront living offers but still be in proximity to Sydney and Newcastle,” Mr Roche said.

Toukley real estate agent Ron Coleman, of Coleman Real Estate, described it as a “strikingly beautiful” design­.

“Without parallel, this is the greatest development Toukley has seen since the opening of Toukley bridge 35 years ago,” Mr Coleman said. “It will reaffirm Toukley as a lifestyle and holiday destination of choice.

“This is a real win for Toukley and the local area in general and locals are buzzing at the prospect, with overwhelming positive feedback for this iconic development. This is the shot of adrenaline that the area has been waiting for.”

The council will place the development application on public exhibition shortly.