Terry Collins, Coast Community News

It’s been a huge week for Gosford, with the opening of the long-awaited Archibald Precinct on the site of the former Union Hotel and a hugely successful open day at the new Gosford campus of The University of Newcastle, which is set to open next year.

Business NSW Central Coast Regional Director Scott Goold said with more major developments in the CBD well underway, the longed-for reactivation of the regional capital was finally becoming a reality.

He said the Urban Property Group had almost completed the first tower of its Central Coast Quarter development on the former Gosford Public School site at the south end of town.

“What people might not realise is that there are two more towers planned for that development and one of those towers will be a hotel so we will have five-star hotels at each end of town,” Mr Goold said.

“There will also be more residential housing in that development, along with food, beverage and retail space – it is really exciting.”

Across the road from the Tax Office, foundation work has already started around the old Creighton’s building to pave the way for a 22-storey apartment building with more retail offerings.

Demolition has also started on the former Kibbleplex site to make way for the five-tower Gosford Alive development.

“Over the next five years you might have 5,000 more people living in Gosford and that will be a huge benefit to local businesses, restaurants, the night-life economy and public amenity,” Mr Goold said.

He said he was greatly encouraged by the State Government’s rezoning plan, which would see improvements in connectivity and public amenity.

Mr Goold said the redevelopment of the Gosford waterfront would be a major issue, with an increasing number of residents looking for activities within walking distance of their new homes.

“The Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation is still taking public feedback on options for the waterfront, but whatever they are planning to do they need to provide the ability for commercial businesses to set up in this space – restaurants, retail or entertainment with a family focus,” he said.

“There needs to be an opportunity for the private sector to invest or we will be relying solely on government funding, which is usually doled out bit by bit.”

Mr Goold said while it was important to see the waterfront revitalised, it should not detract from “finishing the job” along Mann St being driven by private developers.

Unsightly shopfronts along Mann St also needed to be addressed, he said.

“The new zoning plan shows the State Government is prepared to continue making an investment in Gosford; let’s hope that translates to more funding for things like widening the Etna St bridge and better connection to the waterfront,” he said.

Gosford Erina Business Chamber spokesperson David Evers said the Chamber had always believed in the future of Gosford.

“It is encouraging to see plans that we have been part of are starting to bear fruit,” he said.

“There is more to be done, but with appropriate support from the State Government and Central Coast Council, Gosford can actually realise its real potential.”

This article appeared in Coast Community News, 4 December 2025.