Tuggerah redevelopment: Two years on from $2.8 billion announcement

It was the biggest funding announcement ever made on the Central Coast – a $2.8 billion to upgrade Tuggerah including 5000 homes and 10,000 jobs. But how is it tracking two years on?

It’s been two years since the $2.8 billion announcement of the Tuggerah redevelopment. Picture: Peter Clark

It’s been more than two years since the $2.8 billion announcement and eye-popping concept plans were revealed for the upgrade of Tuggerah.

It was the biggest project ever announced for the Central Coast, a 35-year vision for 5000 new dwellings, a new Westfield shopping precinct, 10,000 jobs and more than 70ha of land harnessed.

Two years on and the company who announced and unveiled the masterplan – Scentre Group – has stated that there are no updates to share at this stage.

“The Tuggerah Strategic Centre Masterplan represents our long term vision to create a truly integrated township for the community of Tuggerah,” Scentre Group director of development Stewart White said.

The concept plan released in 2019.

Former NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts made the announcement.

“The planning process for this project remains underway. We have no further updates to share at this stage.”

On February 28, 2019, former NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts made the multi-billion dollar announcement calling it a “35 year redevelopment of this Westfield Tuggerah and adjoining land to transform Tuggerah Town Centre into a stunning, ultra-modern lifestyle hub”.

The Scentre Group’s plan, if approved, would include the redevelopment of Westfield Tuggerah, the land surrounding it, and the adjoining land that lies between the shopping centre and the M1 motorway.

Scentre Group director of development Stewart White said the plans were underway with no updates at his stage.

An approval would also see transport for NSW kick in $700m for a massive upgrade and expansion of Tuggerah station into a transport interchange.

Since 2019, Rob Stokes has taken over the role of NSW Planning Minister. A spokesman from the Department of Planning Industry and Environment told the Express that initial discussions had taken place between the State Government and Scentre Group since the announcement.

“The Scentre Group has had preliminary discussions with council, the Department and Transport for NSW but have yet to lodge a planning proposal to rezone the site,” he said.

Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce president Matthew Lusted, who was at the 2019 announcement, said the chamber hadn’t received any updates on the project.

Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce president Matthew Lusted. Picture: Sue Graham

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“We are intent on having a meeting with the Rob Stokes on the project and where it’s at,” he said.

Mr Lusted said the chamber was keen to see the eastern side of Tuggerah included in the plans, including the areas in and around the Tuggerah Super Centre and the Central Coast Mariners.

“There’s a number of key property holders that we can work with,” he said.

“We would like the area included so it can be a whole Tuggerah strategy rather than just the western side of the highway.”

He said the unveiled plans would also require traffic upgrades to help with an increase in congestion on the eastern side of Tuggerah.

The Pacific Highway in Wyong is in desperate need of an upgrade. Picture: Peter Clark

However he said the chamber’s first priority is to lobby for the northern growth corridor from Tuggerah to Warnervale and through Wyong. He said the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) had identified the Pacific Highway through Wyong as the number one project required on the coast for the past four to five years.

“When you look at the southern corridor from Kariong to Erina it’s all dual lane,” he said. “If the State Government is talking about growth in the north, we would ask them to give us the corridor please and the supported infrastructure.”

When the grand $2.8b plans was announced, Mr Roberts said many sceptical locals in the north had suggested the area was forgotten.

The $2.8b plans include development of land between Westfield and the M1

“Let me tell you I never forgot the north,” he said.

“Opportunities like this proposal have the potential to realise the profound life-changing prospects for people of this community today and for generations to come.”

The plans, which the Scentre Group has had in the works since the 1990s, include provision for 5000 new homes and units, medium to high rise residential blocks, a seniors living facility, an outdoor adventure park, as well as an education precinct with a new primary school. The current carpark at the front of Westfield would make way for residential, retail and commercial blocks, as well as hotels and serviced apartments.