Developer Resubmits Plans for $110m Apartment Precinct

Developers responsible for a $110-million residential masterplan on the former sandstone quarry site at Gosford on the NSW Central Coast have scaled back plans.

The project, being overseen by private JWD Developments, proposes five residential towers and extensive landscaping on a 2.3ha site on a ridge overlooking Gosford.

Plans for the 87-89 John Whiteway Drive site initially proposed 299 apartments in 2018, before that was reduced to 262 in early 2019.

The development application was subject to a number of public submissions, as well as nine submissions from government agencies, public authorities and organisations, during its month-long exhibition period.

The 24,000sq m residential development application has since been classed as of state significance and will remain before the state government. It will now be subject to a 14-day re-exhibition period.

JWD has resubmitted plans reducing the number of apartments to 204, and a reduction in building height from 12 storeys to between five and nine storeys. The number of car parking spaces will also drop from 400 to 305.

The development will feature a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units.

It has been proposed the project will be built in three stages starting with the basement carpark, followed by three residential buildings and finally two blocks as well as the swimming pool and communal areas.

The development will boast tennis courts and 15,000sq m of green space. There will be green rooftops on each of the five residential buildings.

If approved, the project is anticipated to generate 500 jobs during construction.

Meanwhile, construction is now under way down the road on one of Gosford’s longest-running development sites with Pinnacle Construction Group on track to deliver a $60-million 97-apartment development at 86 John Whiteway Drive.

Sydney developer James Moses also has development approval for a $133-million high-rise apartment project for a site from 321 to 331 Mann Street, opposite the Gosford Hospital.

Gosford has continued to attract migrants from Sydney seeking cheaper housing which has bolstered planned development.

Developers and investors have now cottoned on to these opportunities, moving towards Gosford on the Central Coast as well as Newcastle, with the region tipped to grow during coming years in accordance with the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036.

Other developments currently under way in Gosford include shopping centres, ICC Development Group’s 167 room 5-star hotel, restaurants and dining, and a new cinema.

The state government has also pledged $80-million to upgrade the Gosford-to-Sydney train line to allow for high-speed rail.