STATE planners will block any future proposals for function centres on King Edward headland reserve, the state government has announced.
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Newcastle City Council can update its planning controls after the state government made a gateway determination on the plan.
The determination is the latest step towards striking out function centres as a permitted use on the site, essentially blocking any future proposals of that nature.
The Newcastle Herald reported in May that the elected council at the time unanimously chose to seek approval to omit the function centre from possible uses.
That plan will now proceed to public exhibition.
Department of Planning and Environment Hunter Region director Monica Gibson said the updated planning controls would provide greater certainty on the scenic spot’s future.
“The department is ensuring the change becomes a reality after the community successfully challenged the council’s approval of function centres at the park,” she said.
The state planning decision was made in late November, more than two years after the Stronach Group’s proposal for the former bowling club site was halted in May 2015 after the Land and Environment Court ruled a council approval for the plan was invalid.
Developer Keith Stronach said at the time that “naysayers have managed to hold the city back”.
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
