It’s all systems go for the Gosford Alive five-tower development planned for old Kibbleplex site in Gosford, with the Independent Planning Commission approving the concept plan and stage one works for the Lederer Group project, subject to several conditions.
The $345M development is estimated by the applicant to create 354 construction and 211 operational jobs once fully complete.
The Department of Planning finalised its assessment of the proposal in August this year and it went to the Commission for determination because of an objection from Central Coast Council.
Issues raised by Council included concerns over design, built form, density, car parking, traffic and road infrastructure, environmental impacts and public benefits.
Commissioners Chris Wilson (Panel Chair) and Wendy Lewin met with the applicant, representatives from the Department and Council and local interest group, the Community Environment Network, and conducted an inspection of the proposed site and surrounding area.
While the Commission had a number of residual concerns relating to the bulk and scale of the proposed tower envelopes and their impacts, and the extent of activation proposed on Donnison St and Albany Street North, it determined on September 25 to approve the concept plan.
Key conditions of consent will reduce the bulk and scale of four of the five towers to improve views from the public domain, increase the building separation distances, improve solar access within the site, and improve overshadowing impacts to Donnison St.
The height of Towers 1 and 4 are to be lowered to improve address overshadowing concerns and ensure a gradation in height from Kibble Park to the ridgeline of Rumbalara Reserve.
The Commission has also conditioned changes to the height of the Albany St North podium and imposed a requirement for the provision of additional commercial uses to improve street activation.
Terry Collins