Mayor of Gosford City Lawrie McKinna has announced that $464 million worth of development applications were received in August this year for the Gosford CBD area alone.
Mayor Cr McKinna said that 22 applications were lodged with council last month for the CBD, including a $157 million proposal for a mixed used development right in the heart of Mann St. “This latest influx of applications is proof that rejuvenating Gosford is no longer just a pipe dream. “We’ve always been confident about the town centre’s amazing potential as well as certain that there was plenty of interest from potential investors. “We just needed to put the right incentives in place to get the applications rolling through the door. “Even still, receiving almost $500 million worth of applications in a month has definitely topped all our expectations. “These applications include everything from new retail, commercial, restaurant and residential development all along Mann St through to new medical and childcare developments in Showground Rd. “I doubt that any other local government area currently has anywhere near this amount of investment lodged for its CBD area,” mayor Cr McKinna said. CEO Mr Paul Anderson said it was no secret the flood of recent applications had coincided with a number of key announcements and incentives that Council has been right behind over the past two years to drive development in the CBD. “Business and investor confidence in our city is now at an all-time high after two years of highlighting what the area has to offer and making it easier for our customers to do business with us,” Mr Anderson added. “Our long running reduction of development contributions from 4% to 1% for CBD applications wrapped up at the end of August. “However, these contributions will remain at 2% until January next year. “This year we’ve also extended another incentive for CBD development that offers a bonus 30% increase in floor space and building height to eligible applicants. “Plus, last month we had the federal treasurer stand in our city and commit to start work next year on a purpose-built Australian Tax Offi ce agency employing 600 people in Gosford. “This all comes on the back of state and federal government, and community support for many of our other key proposals like the performing arts centre, Kibbleplex and a reinvigorated Gosford waterfront. “Now we need to look closely at all these applications and others to see whether we can get the cranes in the sky over Gosford and start building the world-class city the Central Coast deserves,” Mr Anderson said.
Media release,
2 Sep 2014
Gosford Council media