An artist’s impression of Mariners Plaza
A NSW Department of Planning error has been blamed for delaying the approval of two significant Gosford developments: the ‘Mariner’s Plaza’ development on the corner of Mann St and Donnison St and the mixed development on the corner of Erina St and Henry Parry Drive.
Gosford City Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Ms Alison Vidler, said a Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) meeting held at Erina on April 28 failed to make a decision about the development. Local residents and business representatives who attended the meeting at Erina were told at its commencement that the JRPP could not make a decision about the developments because the relevant Gosford City Council reports and recommendations had not been published in the panel’s website in sufficient time prior to the meeting.
This was the second JRPP delay in one month as the original meeting, scheduled for April 23, was also postponed. As a result, the JRPP will not be able to make its decision regarding the two developments until May 14, Ms Vidler said. “So, in other words, because of a bungle by the NSW Planning Department, our city’s future is once again put on hold and delayed,” Ms Vidler said in a letter to NSW Minister for Planning, Gordon Stokes, “Many people from our community took time out of their very busy day to speak on both developments that were already passed by council staff,” she said.
The Mariner’s Plaza project is being developed by Gosford City Development Pty Ltd and has an estimated value of $190 million. The project will comprise of two residential towers above a podium containing a hotel, licensed pub, retail spaces and supermarket. It will deliver a brand new premium hotel with function rooms, gym and pool deck with associated restaurants and bar. It will comprise 134 rooms over 7 levels and provide underground parking for 135 cars.
The mixed development proposed for the corner or Erina Street and Henry Parry Drive has an estimated value of $36.6 million. Ms Vidler said she received a response to her letter to Minister Stokes “within an hour of sending the email” and she is waiting for confirmation of a meeting with the Minister. She said she intends to ask the minister why the region still needs a JRPP at all. “Developments over $20 million can’t be approved by our local council; the decision has to go to the JRPP,” she said.
“It is the panel’s job to assess the development, to get people to speak on behalf or against, then, usually at that meeting, the JRPP will get to approve it. “Originally the JRPP was created because, at that point in time, councils were seen to be dysfunctional, let’s be honest. “But now our council is far from what it used to be in regards to being dysfunctional; it has come a long way.”
Ms Vidler said the developments had both been approved by Gosford City Council staff and, based on submissions received from the public, have the approval of 95% of the community. Ms Vidler said she is hopeful the May 14 JRPP meeting goes ahead and gets to approve the developments. Meanwhile, the Gosford City Chamber of Commerce and Industry will make the most of its meeting with the minister to ask for more local representatives on the JRPP and to question whether it is needed at all.
Jackie Pearson,
5 May 2015 Interviewee:
Alison Vidler Email,
1 May 2015 Alison Vidler,
Gosford Chamber of
Commerce and Industry