Issue 158 of COAST Community News

Page 1

MAY 18, 2017

YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

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PH: 4325 7369

ISSUE 158

St Hilliers chosen to develop the remainder of the former Gosford PS site T

he NSW Government nt has announced d St Hilliers as thee successful proponent too acquire and develop thee remaining 1.1 hectaress of the former Gosford d Public School site.

The remaining land was soldd for $9.5 million. NSW Minister for Finance, e, Services and Property, Mr Victor Dominello, said the the announcement meant the the State Government was a step step closer to delivering its election on commitment to relocate 3000 government jobs to Gosford. Property NSW confirmed salee contracts had been exchangedd with St Hilliers and settlement nt was due towards the end of 2017. Work on the mixed-usee commercial building was as expected to commence by thee end of May. “There is no timeframee confirmed for the development nt of the remainder of the site,”” according to a Frequently Asked Questions document produced by Property NSW. “There are no restrictions on any further sale of the land,” a statement from Property for NSW said. “Any subsequent sale of the land would be a matter for St Hilliers,” it said. Mr Dominello announced that the Australian-based property and construction group had been chosen to develop the site, which would include the new 7,000 square metre mixed-use commercial building at 32 Mann St. “This is a big win for Gosford, and the project will provide the area with long overdue commercial development that will provide new jobs and economic stimulus,” he said. “Not only will the development

St Hilliers has paid over $9m for the remaining 1.1 hectares of the former Gosford Public School land Photo Noel Fisher

ion jobs, jo create construction but the building’s employees will engage with local traders, retailers and eateries, which is good news for small business.” The mixed-use commercial building will accommodate public servants from the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation from late 2018. The development is expected to create 90 construction jobs and more than 330 ongoing indirect jobs, and inject an additional $1.4m in retail expenditure to the Gosford CBD, and a further $4.2m to the broader region per annum. St Hilliers has more than 20 years’ experience in major developments, including 155 Clarence St, Sydney, the Thornton Precinct in Penrith and Atelier at Kingston Foreshore, Canberra.

Property NSW said it would work with St Hilliers and the Central Coast Council to realise the Government’s vision for the site. In terms of how Property NSW knows that St Hillier’s will deliver that vision, it issued the following statement: “As part of the detailed tender process last year, the successful proponent had to indicate how it would deliver on the NSW Government’s vision for the remainder of the site, including providing generous public open space, residential and retail and hospitality uses (cafes and restaurants). “This formed part of the Property NSW evaluation process and is consistent with the Central Coast Council’s Development Control Plan for the site,” the statement said. “The community will have

the opportunity to comment on the DA of each subsequent phase of development of the site as it is proposed,” the FAQ document said. The Gosford/Erina and Coastal Chamber of Commerce met with the NSW Government and St Hilliers. Chamber President, Ms Alison Vidler, said it had been “a very successful meeting …discussing the future of the site, local jobs and the company’s history with the area, including the building of Kariong High School”. According to Ms Vidler, the development had the potential to act as a catalyst to create ongoing economic and employment opportunities for the region. This development will provide employment opportunities and

support economic growth in the Gosford CBD,” Ms Vidler said. “Workers will be using local suppliers, traders, retailers or eateries before and after work or during their lunch hours, which is good news for local businesses,” she said. St Hilliers announced the success of its tender on its website, describing itself as the “successful proponent to develop a mixed-use precinct at 32 Mann St. “The first stage of the development will comprise a new commercial office building, with subsequent stages of mixed use residential and retail offerings,” the website said. St Hilliers described itself as an integrated property and construction group providing

expertise and service in design management, cost planning, civil and building construction, refurbishment, property development and funds management. “Our commitment to developing long-term, sustainable and collaborative relationships with our clients and our ability to deliver projects wherever our clients take us, has contributed to over 9 per cent of our business 95 bei through repeat clients,” being the group’s website said. An interview request from Coast Community News was referred back from St Hilliers to Property NSW. The Expression of Interest and Request for Tender for the land were issued by Property NSW in the latter half of 2016 to seek private sector interest in delivering the DA building and develop the rest of the site. “St Hilliers was selected following an extensive tender process,’ said the FAQ document. It posed the question: “why did the Government seek to build on the old school site?” and responded: “As one of its 2015 election commitments, the Government committed to relocating at least 300 public sector roles from the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation to Gosford by late 2018. “As the central agency responsible for management of the Government’s commercial accommodation requirements, Property NSW undertook a detailed assessment of the Gosford commercial market to determine existing and potential development sites able to accommodate the relocated staff by 2018. Continued page 3

Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net Mobile Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au


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Issue 158 of COAST Community News by Central Coast Newspapers - Issuu