The Sawmill Erina: Construction of units to begin in April following court appeal
A major developer on The Central Coast which recently had a $4m project given the green light after an appeal, has criticised council’s inability to process applications in a timely manner.
NSW
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A major developer on The Central Coast which recently had a $4m project given the green light thanks to an appeal, has criticised council’s inability to process applications in a timely manner.
Steven Holdings Pty Ltd are the developers behind 22 light industrial units on The Entrance Rd, Erina known as “The Sawmill”.
The application was first lodged to council on December 28, 2023 but was rejected due to environmental concerns.
A spokeswoman for Central Coast Council said several requests for information were issued by council in early 2024 regarding a range of issues associated with engineering, waste and ecology.
On June 6 last year, Steven Holdings Pty Ltd lodged an application with the Land and Environment Court.
On Tuesday, January 28, the Land and Environment Court upheld the appeal for the development after council and the developers were able to come to an agreement.
Brett Harrod, managing director of the Stevens Group, said he was pleased that the process has been finalised but is continually “surprised and frustrated” by council’s inability to process application in a timely manner.
“There was a DA already approved on this site for a higher density building,” Mr Harrod said.
“We were actually downsizing the development, less traffic, less height, four stories originally to a single level building.
“This is a compliant development under the zoning, the council still obstructed the approval process at every opportunity.
“Stevens is one of the largest developers in NSW, currently with over 30 projects in our pipeline, the only council that we end up in the Land and Environment Court in NSW is Central Coast Council.
“Something must change,” he said.
Mr Harrod said market demand is high for business units and storage and that 80 per cent of the units have been pre-sold.
It’s anticipated that construction is expected to begin in April and is expected to be complete within six months of the construction works.
The development involves civil works including earthworks, service infrastructure and a driveway and 37 carparks and landscaping.
The site is located next to new BP service station and Six String Brewing Co manufacturing and tap room.
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Originally published as The Sawmill Erina: Construction of units to begin in April following court appeal
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