The Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) has deferred its approval of the $180 million Waterside development in Mann St at its latest meeting on Thursday, September 17.
Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna said he was disappointed that the three non-Central Coast members of the JRPP had voted against his motion to approve the triple tower development that will traverse Mann St and Georgiana Terrace.
“I moved the motion that the JRPP accept the recommendation from Council to approve the development but it got voted down 3-2,” Cr McKinna said. Cr McKinna said the Waterside project is a “big development” but that it is only “slightly higher” than the twin towers already approved for the site of the Union Hotel on the corner of Mann St and Donnison St.
That development was approved by the JRPP in May. Cr McKinna said he had expected the Waterside project to be approved and was disappointed given how far the planning process had come.
He said he expected the architects to go away and do a bit more work to address the JRPP’s concerns. “I think the architects will be able to satisfy the members of the JRPP,” he said.
“The developers are going to keep working it through; they are focused on getting this development through.”
The date for the development’s return to the JRPP has not been set, he said. According to Cr McKinna, members of the JRPP also had questions about Gosford Council’s new development proposal to change the boundaries of the Gosford CBD.
In August, Gosford Council initiated the processes required to progress a planning proposal that would see certain parcels of land in the Gosford CBD rezoned.
“Now Council will be looking to state government to get that rushed through,” Cr McKinna said.
Interview, Sep 21, 2015
Lawrie McKinna
Gosford Council
Jackie Pearson, journalist