E
FRE
March 26, 2014
Your independent local newspaper
-
Ph: 4325 7369
Issue 79
Gosford Waterfront Development Control Plan approved
T
he Gosford Waterfront Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 came into force on Friday, March 21, following approval by the director-general of Planning and Infrastructure.
The DCP builds upon the Gosford Waterfront’s new land use framework and provides detailed controls against which to assess future development applications. It is based, where possible, on Gosford Council’s existing controls and particularly those already approved under the 2013 DCP. It outlines the more detailed planning provisions for the built form such as pedestrian amenity, access and environmental management for future development in the Gosford Waterfront and establishes controls for building setbacks and building separations to ensure high amenity. Key features of the
DCP include enhanced pedestrian connectivity and high quality public domain. According to the DCP, the vision for the Gosford Waterfront is to promote sustainable growth in a manner which will provide a catalyst for the wider revitalisation of the city centre. “The Gosford Waterfront will be a vibrant and active mixed use precinct that will connect the Gosford City Centre to the Brisbane Water foreshore,” states the Plan. “The range of available public amenities and services will attract people of all ages to live in the Gosford Waterfront and Gosford City Centre. “The foreshore edge will be activated and celebrated
with upgraded open space and key public spaces, pedestrian walkways and cycle ways.” The DCP lists a number of envisaged outcomes for the waterfront which are to be considered in the preparation and assessment of development applications including: an attraction for visitors, residents and workers of the Gosford Waterfront to enjoy the natural beauty of the Brisbane Water; high quality architecturally designed buildings providing a clear distinction between public and private domains; high density residential components with high amenity and water views, proximity to employment, services and recreational facilities; a new restaurant
zone based along the existing breakwater; high quality landscape features and embellishments attracting visitors and improving the recreational opportunities for residents and workers of the Gosford Waterfront and surrounds; a network of roads, plazas, public spaces, links and waterside pathways; development sympathetic to any significant tree standings and ecologically sensitive environments; potential for new improved boating facilities for a variety boating of activities including public and private moorings; and recognition of the heritage values of the site, while ensuring that future development has due regard to the significance of the item. The DCP has outlined a number of controls in order to achieve the intended objectives.
These controls include, but are not limited to: the provision of cultural and recreation facilities in accessible locations; the provision of a major pedestrian crossing across the Central Coast Highway in a central welldesigned location in the vicinity of Baker St and public plaza; compliance of street building alignment and street setbacks; consistent street or public domain frontage heights; a maximum floor plate size for commercial buildings of 2,200m2 and a maximum floor plate depth (excluding balconies) for residential buildings of 20m; minimum floor to ceiling heights of 3.3 metres for commercial office, 3.5 metres for active public uses, such as retail and restaurants, and 2.7 metres for residential; any new public spaces to be designed so that at least
50% of the open space provided has a minimum of three hours of sunlight between 9am and 3pm on June 21 (Winter Solstice); the maximisation of glazing for retail uses, but break glazing into sections to avoid large expanses of glass; the maintenance of public access to all outdoor areas at all times; the provision of new pedestrian and cycle links between Baker St, Gosford City Highway, Dane Dr and Georgiana Tce; and the maintenance of continuous pedestrian connections around the foreshore. The Gosford Waterfront DCP can be found at http:// majorprojects.planning.nsw. gov.au. Gosford Waterfront DCP 2014, 21 Mar 2014