Tuggerah housing estate: 1300-Home development near Westfield moves forward

The next steps in a proposal to build 1300 homes on vacant land next to Westfield Tuggerah have been revealed.

An artists impression of the new Tuggerah Town Centre proposal by Scentre Group in 2019.

The next steps in a proposal to build over a thousand homes on vacant land next to Westfield Tuggerah have been revealed.

Scentre Pty Limited, who own and operate 42 Westfields including Westfield Tuggerah, have been wanting to create a new residential community next to the M1 since 2019.

On Tuesday night, Central Coast Council unanimously approved a key planning agreement, allowing the state government to finalise the proposal.

According to the draft voluntary planning agreement (VPA), the projects seeks to create a new residential community to support the existing Tuggerah Town Centre with a range of low, medium and higher-density housing options to meet future housing demand.

The planning proposal seeks to rezone the approximate 42-hectare gateway site for a range of low, medium, and high-density housing options.

The housing is to be supported by a range of commercial, retail, community, recreation, and entertainment uses.

The Gateway site is located on Wyong Road next to Westfield Tuggerah.

Speaking at the council meeting on Tuesday night, General manager for asset management at Scentre Group, Adam Achterstraat said the project has been on a long journey since its first inception.

“We’re hoping to deliver housing as soon as possible,” Mr Achterstraat said.

“From our perspective this project offers a huge potential benefit for the coast, this site has the potential to deliver over 1300 dwellings much needed in the current housing crisis.”

On December 10 last year, council had a meeting to discuss the project and proposed an additional element, which was for an additional pedestrian bridge over the Pacific Hwy.

Mr Achterstraat said the VPA also includes a range of other benefits including a significant park and provision of a youth centre.

Land where the proposed development is set to occur is located next to the M1.

“The amendment put forward by the council to the VPA makes this scheme uneconomic for us to pursue.

“We’d love to deliver housing on the coast and we’d love to stick with the VPA that was originally agreed over the four years of discussions and negotiations with the council leading up to it.”

The planning agreement is required to be executed by council and the proponent prior to the finalisation of the planning proposal by the department of planning housing and infrastructure. The department have indicated this is likely to occur in March 2025.