Council reveals it’s scouting for RPAC sites

The TAFE concept takes in a large area along Mann St, Gosford.

If the Central Coast ever gets a regional performing arts centre, it will not be built on any previously targeted sites, says Central Coast Council.

The Council is tonight, March 22, asking Administrator Rik Hart to change the status of land in Mann St, Gosford, so it can be sold off.

The land at 73-75 Mann St, Gosford, was originally acquired in 2019 for the then proposed Gosford Cultural Precinct consisting of a Regional Library and Regional Performing Arts Centre (RPAC).

Upon acquisition by Council, the parcels of land were classified as community land. 

In September 2019, Council resolved to withdraw from any further work on the Gosford Cultural Precinct and proceed with a stand-alone Regional Library. 

The Regional Library will now be developed on the site of the Parkside Building in Gosford at 123A Donnison Street. 

Council is reviewing plans for the Regional Performing Arts Centre (RPAC). 

“The site for the RPACC will not be developed on any of the land previously identified for the Cultural Precinct and other locations are now being considered,” Council says in a report to the Administrator Rik Hart to be tabled tonight.

It gives no further details of where these other locations might be.

Tonight Hart is expected to agree to Council preparing a planning proposal to amend State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) Gosford City Centre to enable the reclassification of 73-75 Mann St from community land to operational land so it can be sold as part of the TAFE plan to move the TAFE college to the former Council chambers in Gosford and surrounding land.

Merilyn Vale