Issue 102 of COAST Community News

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February 18, 2015

Your independent local newspaper

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Ph: 4325 7369

Issue 102

Three towers planned for former Spurbest site

An artist’s designs of part of the development

$180 million development application has been lodged with Gosford Council which would see the construction of three towers comprising retail, residential and commercial space on the former Spurbest site at 50-70 Mann St, Gosford.

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The proposal includes a total of 572 residential units within three towers, erected on a podium level which itself will offer a hotel, shops, restaurants, a tavern, and cinema, all accessed via a public thoroughfare which will be created through the site linking the City Centre to the Waterfront. The podium level will also incorporate several levels of commercial office space.

The towers have been labelled the Mann St Tower, Baker St Tower and the Georgianna Terrace Tower. The 33 storey Mann St Tower will include a ground level mixed use space and four levels of commercial space, with the tower comprising 29 levels of apartments. It would comprise five retail units, one commercial tenancy, a cafe/ restaurant and a residential commercial foyer, as well as two cinemas and amenities, all on the ground floor. Levels one to four would comprise commercial space with the applicant suggesting the Australian Tax Office as a potential tenant. Levels five to 33 would see 58 one-bedroom apartments, 116 twobedroom apartments and 58 three-bedroom apartments.

The 32 storey Baker St Tower will include a ground level mixed use space; two levels of retail/commercial space, and four levels of hotel rooms, with the tower comprising 26 levels of apartments. The ground floor would comprise a residential/hotel foyer, hotel kitchen and administration and serving facilities, while level one would house a supermarket and five retail units. Level two would provide commercial floor space and levels three to six would provide 80 hotel rooms. The remaining 26 tower levels, from seven to 32, would comprise 52 onebedroom apartments, 104 two-bedroom apartments and 52 three-bedroom apartments. Finally, the 22 storey Georgiana Terrace Tower will include a ground level

mixed use space and two levels of retail/commercial space, with the tower comprising 22 levels of apartments. The ground floor would see two retail units, a residential foyer and servicing facilities, while level one would see further retail floor space, including a cafe/restaurant and bar/ tavern, and level two would comprise commercial floor space. Levels three to 24 would comprise 88 two-bedroom apartments and 44 threebedroom apartments. In addition to this, the development will include four levels of basement parking accommodating 678 cars, as well as significant open space and landscaping. According to the development application, submitted by New Hong

Kong Macau Australia, Pty Ltd, the development stems from Gosford Council’s eagerness to revitalise the City Centre. The site itself, which comprises the former Brisbane Waters County Council Building, the former Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), and Froggy’s, a former skating rink, has had a chequered history, with several proposals having been considered in the past which evoked considerable controversy. In 2005, development consent was issued by the Department of Planning for a mixed commercial and residential development. This consent was commenced via the partial demolition of some of the existing buildings on site. Under a separate consent, initial works began on the temporary

dismantling of the clock tower, with the material from that work now being stored within the building. Since the time of these initial partial demolition works however, the site has been deserted, with the buildings and the site subsequently being boarded up and becoming a target for vandalism and graffiti. The heritage listing of part of the site is recognised in the design, with the front portion and first floor staircase of the former Brisbane Waters County Council building being incorporated within the design. A number of public submissions have already been lodged in support of the proposal.

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net

DA47046 2015, 30 Jan 2015


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