Tuggerah $29.8M shopping centre plan could choke Wyong Rd/Bryant Drive roundabout

People have a further two weeks to make submissions on a $29.8 million shopping centre and fast food proposal, opposite Tuggerah Super Centre, which could cause drainage and traffic issues.

A development application (DA) to turn the overflow car park and vacant land opposite Tuggerah Super Centre into a sprawling specialty retail centre with fast food and drive through restaurants has been deferred.

The Local Planning Panel met last week to consider the proposal but has deferred its decision after submissions from neighbouring residents Chris and Wendy Lewis, along with the owners of the block next-door, which is leased by Austral Bricks.

One issue raised its the increased traffic at the Bryant Drive/Wyong Rd intersection which has already reached the “end of its useful life”. Picture: Google

The Planning Panel heard there were significant concerns about the proposed drainage plans, with fears stormwater run-off would go through neighbouring properties and flood Bryant Drive.

There were also concerns from Blueview, the company which owns the Austral Bricks site, about a lack of notification after its directors said they only found out about the proposal days before the Planning Panel was to make its decision.

The Planning Panel resolved to notify all adjoining property owners and give them a further 14 days to make a submission before reconsidering its decision 28 days after the closing date for submissions.

PREVIOUSLY

Despite the proposal’s own traffic impact assessment stating it will cause further congestion at the nearby intersection of Wyong Rd and Bryant Drive, Central Coast Council recommends its approval because the roundabout is already at the end of its useful life.

Aventus Tuggerah Pty Ltd, the company which owns Tuggerah Super Centre, lodged the proposal in 2019.

A council report recommends the Local Planning Panel approves the development because it is consistent with the anticipated outcomes for the new zoning of the area.

The plans for the shopping centre show the three buildings, two food pads, parking and a new roundabout at the driveway opposite Tuggerah Super Centre. Picture: supplied

The DA includes three large retail buildings spanning an area of 10,674sq m, two “food pads” spanning an area nearly 700sq m complete with alfresco dining, drive through and takeaway restaurants and 389 parking spaces.

Under the plans the developer would build a roundabout and an new entry opposite the driveway to Tuggerah Super Centre on Bryant Drive and a boom-gated northern driveway on Lake Rd, which would cater for staff parking and deliveries.

The existing Return and Earn container deposit facility would be relocated on the site, which would be landscaped and include “public art elements”, according to the DA.

The Return and Earn facility would be relocated. Picture: Google

Aventus Tuggerah purchased the 5.6ha block from Bunnings Properties for $3.75 million in 2016, a year after it purchased the Super Centre site from Bunnings for a reported $45 million before leasing back the hardware tenancy on a 12-year deal.

Key issues for the panel in determining the DA will be drainage, traffic and amenity to neighbouring properties.

The council report states the developer has addressed the drainage issues with a network of stormwater pipes and given the area is transitioning to its new zoning, there was an opportunity for the handful of remaining residential properties to consolidate and be rezoned to make way for further development.

The proposed development site in blue and the properties council suggests could be consolidated for future development in orange. Picture: supplied

The report also found the proposal would not negatively impact the local road network — despite an additional 250 peak hour vehicle movements — because the nearby Bryant Drive and Wyong Rd roundabout was already at capacity and had an “F” rating.

“While the increased traffic generated by the proposal will have some impact on the efficiency

of the existing Wyong Road/ Bryant Drive roundabout during peak periods, the intersection

has already reached capacity due to 25 years of background traffic growth,” the report states.

A new roundabout would be built here for access to the Super Centre and the new proposed shopping centre. Picture: Google.

“The TIA (traffic impact assessment) acknowledges that this development will contribute to the deterioration of the operation of the roundabout, however given that the cost estimate for the development is $29M and the cost to upgrade the intersection to traffic signals will be in excess of $30M, it would be unreasonable to expect this development to fully fund the work.

“Having regard for the existing traffic situation and the traffic outcomes resulting from the

proposed development, the proposal is considered acceptable.”

Meanwhile Transport for NSW said in its submission the development reduces the life of the roundabout “to such an extent that within the 10-year horizon upgrades will need to be brought forward”.

Attempts to contact Aventus Tuggerah Pty Ltd were made.