HURSTVILLE city centre is in the middle of a building boom, with almost $300 million worth of new developments approved for construction.
Hurstville mayor Jack Jacovou said the multimillion-dollar building works were helping to significantly boost the local economy by creating more jobs and new business opportunities.
‘‘Already, $96 million of building construction works are now under way,
with developers recognising the long-term potential of investing in our vibrant city centre,’’ councillor Jacovou said.
‘‘Once complete, the new buildings will help bring more services, employment opportunities, facilities and people to Hurstville’s CBD.’’
Cr Jacovou said the projects would help the council to meet the target of an extra 4100 dwellings by 2031, as outlined in the draft South Sub-regional Strategy issued by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
And by being built in the CBD they would help to keep high-rise out of the suburbs.
Some of the major projects under construction include stage two of the East Quarter development at 93 Forest Road; a residential and businesses development at 13-17 Woodville Street; and a four/five-storey mixed building at the site of Mr Chou Seafood Restaurant at 127 Forest Road.
Cr Jacovou said there was also about
$200 million of approved new mixed business developments yet to begin.
‘‘Another project is the $32.2 million Hurstville Private Hospital expansion, creating more than 40 new beds for patients which has been recommended for approval by the minister.
‘‘Finally, a $100 million project at 458 Forest Road, Hurstville, which comprises a mixed business development and plaza, will soon be determined by the Sydney East Region Joint Regional Planning Panel.’’
Developments with a capital investment value of more than $10 million are decided by the state government’s planning panel and Cr Jacovou said that the council had very little say on how they proceeded.
‘‘The government forced us to create new dwellings so it was either build them here or in the suburbs,’’ he said.
BENEFITS
Hurstville Council entered into a voluntary planning agreement with East Quarter Hurstville Pty Limited to extract almost $1 million of benefits for the city. Under the agreement struck in December 2011, the developer is required to provide:
- Landscaping to the value of $400,000 on specified council land — this will include footpaths, street furniture, planting, and undergrounding of overhead power cables;
- Landscaping and associated works at Kempt Field to the value of $350,000;
- A contribution of $185,198 to Hurstville Public School;
- Public access to the development’s plaza, an area of about 2800 square metres, and to associated landscaped corridors leading to Kempt Field.
What do you think about Hurstville’s building boom?
