Central Coast Council has raised a number of concerns over a proposed $1.6B mixed-use development at Charmhaven, which is currently being considered by the State Government as a State Significant Development (SSD).
Australian developer Third.i says the development would provide new sporting fields and facilities, along with a pipeline of critical, enabling infrastructure, at no cost to government.
The project is currently the largest housing development planned for the Central Coast.
If approved, it will deliver more than 2,000 homes, a school catering for 1,500 students from K-12, and a new business park.
Third.i says the site already has access to key infrastructure needed to deliver the masterplan, which could save local and state government tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure development costs.
The developer plans to build a new link road between Arizona Rd and the Pacific Hwy, which it says will significantly alleviate traffic congestion in the area.
It will also include two new key intersections to further improve traffic flow and safety for commuters.
“These measures will not only reduce congestion but also make the area safer for everyone,” Third.i’s Head of Acquisitions, Florian Caillon, said.
“This includes a much-needed all-weather sports facility for local community sports groups, as well as new roads, water and electricity, which will benefit Charmhaven and the wider region – all at no cost to the NSW Government.
“In addition, there will be walking trails, cycleways and 120ha of ecology lands, which we will be funding in perpetuity for future generations.”
If approved, the sports field will be the only all-weather sporting field on the Central Coast and will be gifted by the developer to the community.
Alex Burgin, CEO of Central Coast Football, which represents more than 16,500 members, said the region’s football community had been hit hard by ground closures due to wet weather, with many children missing out on playing the sport they loved for weeks on end.
“Any proposal that invests in all-weather sporting infrastructure is not just welcome, but essential for our region’s future,” he said.
President of Kanwal Football Club Brendan Ross said he had been involved with the club for six years.
“Every time it rains, over 540 kids miss out on their training and weekend sport – and that needs to stop,” he said.
“If investments like Charmhaven are proposing this type of sporting infrastructure, as a community we need to support it.”
Third.i says St Philip’s Christian College Charmhaven will be a low-fee independent Christian school designed to serve up to 1,500 students from early learning through to tertiary teacher training.
The K–12 College will offer strong academic and extracurricular opportunities within a faith-based environment, enriching the lives of students and families in the local community.
It will also provide tailored education pathways through the Dynamic Learning College, supporting students with diverse learning needs.
The new business park in Charmhaven will create more than 600 new operational jobs.
Contingent on planning approvals, the first new homes could be delivered in 36 months, helping meet the growing demands for housing on the Central Coast.
But Central Coast Council has objected to the proposal, outlining concerns relating to impacts on biodiversity, traffic control and safety.
In two submissions lodged to the Stage Government, Council said proposals for extensive development in the Arizona Rd area have been existing for over 20 years, but intensive development and rezoning proposals have not been supported due to the high biodiversity constraints of properties in the area.
“The removal of over 21 hectares of native vegetation as a result of this proposal is inconsistent with Council’s strategic planning for the area which to date have supported managing the area for its biodiversity values,” Council said.
It said the threatened species and vegetation integrity have not been adequately assessed, citing Diuris praecox, Cryptostylis hunteriana, the Large Forest Owl, the Squirrel Glider and the Swift Parrots as being of particular concern.
Council also raised concerns over the lack of a Vegetation Management Plan, saying the BDAR (Biodiversity Development Assessment Report) fails to discuss the likely impacts of increased sediment and nutrient loads on riparian vegetation.
Council said there appears to be no proper plan of subdivision for the site identifying appropriate easements and that the servicing of the proposed lot that will cater for industrial development has not been demonstrated.
The Traffic Impact Report does not include a road safety assessment section, Council said.
It raised concerns over traffic and safety issues which could arise from the provision of a shared path connection for school kids with a bus drop off on the Pacific Hwy and said the location of the eastern road to provide access to an industrial development and by default, to the school site, is questionable in terms of broader strategic plans for the area.
Council said the school plans, throughout the ‘Concept’ design report, appear to be inconsistent, having different intersections at the same locations and that the development will impact the operation of the RFS headquarters, and any helicopter movements will significantly disrupt school operations.
Thank goodness the Council can see through the money being dangled in front of them..They are so right developers come in destroying everything in their path Endangered trees plants and wildlife,to make more money, their not do it for the people like they say. It will be a nightmare on the roads to commute even to the overcrowded shopping centre or the Hospital.We would need another police station and more police. Respect to the council.👏
Respect to the council for seeing through the carrot being dangled in front of them.No to destroying bush and endangered plant and wildlife. Developers make money that is their main goal and will decimate anything in their path.