Following over 1,500 public objections and around 800 supporting s u b m i s s i o n s , Gosford Council has deferred its decision on a contentious application to redevelop the Avoca Beach Theatre.
The proposal is seeking to add four cinemas to the site as well as a cafe and gallery, five residential units and basement car parking. Gosford City’s mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna said the council was still very keen to try and make the redevelopment workable. “Council staff did recommend that this development application should be refused for a number of reasons,” mayor Cr McKinna said. “But, we strongly believe there is still an opportunity for council staff and the developer to try and see whether the redevelopment of this important, iconic community facility could be delivered in a more suitable and acceptable way. “At this stage, there are still concerns about the proposal’s excessive size and height, as well as whether it is in the community’s best interests. “Although we received well over 1,500 individual letters and signatures objecting to this proposal, it’s important to acknowledge that we also received around 800 individual letters and signatures supporting it as part of the application’s public exhibition. “Councillors have also been advised by council staff that the site’s flooding risks are too significant to ignore, especially for this proposal. “With the site located in an existing floodway, the proposed vehicle access and basement car parking for the redevelopment pose serious public safety risks if the site floods. “However, council has now deferred its decision on this proposal and asked the CEO to meet with the applicant and gauge their preparedness to amend the current design to address these concerns and others. “We’ve also asked for a further report to be provided to the council at its next available meeting after March next year.” The decision was a source of contention at council’s final meeting of the year with the gallery full to the brim and overflowing into the foyer. Councillors did not unanimously decide on the deferral with Greens Cr Hillary Morris saying she didn’t see what a further three months was going to achieve. “There has been plenty of time to reach an agreement,” said Cr Morris. “The theatre is a wonderful community asset, there is no doubt about that, and I certainly hope we don’t lose it.” Cr Gabby Bowles said the application was “an emotional one” for her as it was one of the first emails she received when she was elected as a councillor. “There’s a lot of different opinions about whether the owners have a sound and reasonable reason to expand, but I don’t believe that’s council’s decision to decide. “None of us want to see this theatre close. but the report as it stands now is not something I can support,” said Cr Bowles. Mayor Cr McKinna said: “I would like to sincerely thank every resident for their comments and feedback on this proposal, and patience while we continue to assess the application.”
Media release,
10 Dec 2014
Gosford Council Media
Kaitlin Watts,
18 Dec 2014