The Stage One Master Plan for the Lederer development of Kibbleplex and Imperial Centre calls the future of Kibble Park into question.
With the exception of the old road adjacent to the library, (which is operational land) Kibble Park is community land. Gosford Council supported action by its former CEO to make the library and restaurant sites also operational land, but this has not been put before the community to my knowledge. Lederer, in announcing its development after purchasing Kibbleplex in a secret deal with the Council CEO, announced it had plans as part of its development to build structures and make alterations to the Kibble Park community land.
Kibble Park is very significant public land for meetings, outdoor concerts, public events such as Australia Day and passive recreation for CBD workers. It was believed it would be some time before the Lederer DA was lodged. Given the need for it because of the high-rise residential developments approved for the CBD, this important town park acquired by council specifi cally for the community’s use appears to be threatened by development. Many had hoped that once the library vacated its award winning site it would become available as a much needed public display space for Arts and Heritage. Does Lederer know more than the community?
Email, Aug 8, 2016 Kay Williams, Pearl Beach