Oasis Caravan Park owners committed to units plan

Land Lease SPV says it is fully committed to its planning proposal to build 675 apartments at its Oasis Caravan Park in Kanwal.

The commitment comes after news that a previous development application to increase the number of long-term sites at the caravan park, which currently has 45 short-term and 100 long-term sites, has been approved by Central Coast Council.

But that application was submitted long before the 5ha site was selected under the Department of Planning’s Rezoning Pathways Program.

The program focuses on opportunities to rezone land in area with high potential for increasing housing stock.

“Land Lease SPV is well advanced with its planning proposal to build 675 apartments on site, including 102 apartments designated for affordable rental housing, and 200 apartments for independent living for seniors,” the company said in a statement.

“This key project will help address the acute shortage of affordable housing on the Central Coast, and contribute to achieving the NSW government’s strategy of increasing housing supply into the future.

“Land Lease SPV is fully committed to delivering this project which has been designated as a State Significant Development.”

The planning proposal was exhibited from May 27 to June 24 and the State Department of Planning is reviewing the feedback received during the exhibition period.

It is expected to finalise the planning documents by late-2024. 

A resident of the park and a spokesperson for Land Lease SPV addressed the Council about the proposal at the August Council meeting when Council’s submission to the State was tabled.

The resident asked why there was a time limit of 10 years for the affordable housing units in the proposed new development and asked what would happen after that time.

The spokesman for Land Lease SPV said only five projects were selected across NSW, making the development a very significant project for the Coast with a real social benefit for the community.

A Council staff member outlined Council’s submission, making it clear that Council was not the decision maker for the proposal and had seven key issues objecting to the plan.

Council said it lacked strategic merit, was an over-development of the site and the public space was poorly designed.

Administrator Rik Hart supported the submission from staff saying development had to be in the right place with the right infrastructure in place before the buildings were built.

He hoped the State would take heed of their comments.

The development application that has been approved would have seen the park increase its long-term caravan sites by 101, with more parking and improved community facilities.