Ku-ring-gai Council flags land sale to Coles fund Turramurra Hub upgrade

Public land could be sold off to fund a long planned upgrade of a north shore town centre after a cash-strapped council revealed it was unable to finance the multimillion-dollar project.

Public land could be sold off to fund a long planned upgrade of a north shore town centre after a cash-strapped council revealed it was unable to finance the multimillion-dollar project.

Ku-ring-gai Council will consider selling up to 1500sq m of council land to retail giant Coles in order to bankroll a new master plan for Turramurra which would feature new community facilities west of Turramurra Station.

The town centre upgrade – known as the Turramurra Community Hub masterplan – has been in the works since at least 2014 and includes an upgraded park, town square, library and community centre.

Council reports show the council no longer has the financial capacity to deliver the project which financial modelling predicts could cost up to $123 million.

The council is now in talks with Coles regarding a potential sale of public land, currently used as carparking, as part of a deal to fund “community benefits” in the town centre.

A concept masterplan of the town centre previously released by the council.

The masterplan is designed at revitalising the shopping strip.

A council spokeswoman said a potential sale would also enable Coles to build an updated and larger supermarket, specialty retail shops and incorporate units in the development.

An analysis by Coles has flagged height limits may need to be increased on the site to cover the costs of providing community benefits.

Ku-ring-gai Council said the view expressed by Coles about future development heights is not the council’s position and “any future development is proposed to be within existing height limits”.

Kathy Cowley from Friends of Ku-ring-gai has concerns about the project.

Adam Foy from Adam's Cakes and Chocolates said the town centre was in need of upgrading.

The potential sale has sparked mixed reactions among residents with critics saying it could result in overdevelopment in the town centre.

Kathy Cowley, a member of Friends of Ku-ring-gai Environment, questioned whether a potential land sale was in the community’s best interest.

“Most of this land is strategic and provides infrastructure and carparking for the station and once it’s sold we never get it back,” she said.

“We’re losing community land to private developers and I don’t believe that’s in the long term interest of the community and local infrastructure

The Coles Turramurra outlet could be redeveloped as part of the project.

“If the only way to fund it is to allow increased development then it’s the developers that benefit the most, not the community.”

Adam Foy, owner of Adams Cakes and Chocolates, supported the masterplan, saying the town centre was overdue for upgrades.

“I’ve been here 16 years and the only thing the council has done is reconcreted the sideway, put in 15 minute parking signs and restricted parking,” he said.

“There’s been upgrades in Lindfield, St Ives but Turramurra doesn’t get a lot of attention.

“That side of the station particularly needs upgrading but there should be scrutiny about why the council would sell off land to fund it when the ratepayers contribute so much.”

A council spokeswoman said the public land earmarked for sale is currently used as a car park and new carparking would be provided if a development proceeded.

Council reports state any sale of land to Coles would be based on the council “being satisfied that a proposed development would enhance amenity for the local community and be sympathetic to future development of the Turramurra Community Hub site for public benefit, and that development assessment would be subject to normal processes.”

Councillor Cedric Spencer has backed the potential sale, saying it may be the only way the long-planned project gets off the ground.

“The Turramurra Hub has been floating around for about 22 years and if there’s an opportunity to sell our land to a developer and for them to build a hub with some of the community expectations and requirements incorporated I think that’s a fantastic opportunity,” he said.

“Instead of us trying to develop it which has taken us 22 year and we can’t do it, let Coles do it and they can do it in three to four months.”