Property NSW, the arm of the Department of Finance charged with the sale of the former Gosford Public School site, is still looking for partners to complete the development of former school site.
The construction of the Australian Taxation Office by Doma has been approved but has been stalled by action taken in the Land and Environment Court by the Gosford Waterfront Alliance. The second building, to house staff from the Department of Finance, is still waiting for Joint Regional Planning Panel approval. The development application for the second building was lodged by the NSW Government as a crown application because it is yet to find a partner for the project.
Property NSW also appears to be looking for partners to develop the remainder of the land. A media statement issued by Property NSW in response to questions from Coast Community News said it was: “Currently assessing proposals for a development partner to deliver the proposed mixeduse building at 32 Mann St,” referring to the proposed Department of Finance building. The media statement did not specify how many expressions of interest had been received from developers to partner with the NSW Government to deliver the Department of Finance building.
“Following an assessment of the EOI responses, an invitation will be extended to a shortlist to participate in a tender process,” it said. “From this, Property NSW will select a preferred proponent. “It is proposed that the outcome of this process will be announced publicly by the end of 2016. “Property NSW was pleased with the responses received for its EOI process, which is separate from the ATO development process.” It did not state when an announcement would be made in relation to any further development on the former school site or respond directly to a question about whether it had called for expressions of interest in a potential hotel development on part of the site adjoining the proposed NSW Finance office building.
“Property NSW has received a strong response to the public expressions of interest (EOI) process to deliver the mix of different development opportunities for the [remainder of the] site, including restaurants, car parking, short-term accommodation, residential and … open space,” the statement said. In response to a question about whether the Land and Environment Court action by the Gosford Waterfront Alliance against the Doma Group had any impact on the number of expressions of interest received, the Property NSW media statement said: “The Land and Environment Court action relates to the Doma development and is unrelated to the Government’s process.” “It is intended that the government’s development partner will purchase the mixed use precinct for development into a vibrant and active area comprising a range of uses … that connects the Gosford CBD to the waterfront with generous public open space. “By partnering with the private sector, the Government can effectively deliver on its pledge to invest in the Gosford economy, extend and revitalise the CBD and deliver hundreds of new jobs to the region.”
Media statement, Sep 29, 2016 Amy Cook, NSW Department of Finance Jackie Pearson, journalist