in Todays Leader
Still being assessed: Artist's impression of amended plans for stage four of Woolooware Bay Town Centre - a new retail centre, hotel / serviced apartments, an upgraded leagues club with a large, north-facing terrace and three apartment blocks from 11 to 16 storeys.
The Sharks and their development partner retracted a statement they had received “in principle support” from state government planning officials for the proposed addition of 222 apartments to previously approved plans for a new shopping centre.
A “clarification” was issued saying, “We are yet to receive a formal response from the Department of Planning”.
The misleading statement was given to the Leader in response to rumours there has been difficulty obtaining finance for the retail centre to be built on the eastern side of the football stadium.
In August last year, the managing director of Capital Bluestone, Ben Fairfax, said work was expected to start after the football season ended on the project.
The project will include an upgraded leagues club and, if modifications are approved, 222 apartments on top of the shopping centre, a hotel and Sharks Centre of Excellence.
On Tuesday this week, Mr Fairfax said, “There is no issue regarding funding”.
“The critical thing is that the funding for a straight out retail centre is totally different to that for a mixed use development, which includes residential on top and a hotel,” he said.
“Until we have formal approval, we can’t lock down the funding source, which is the same process we have gone through with other stages.”
Mr Fairfax said processing of the application had taken longer than expected.
Earlier, Mr Fairfax and Sharks chairman Dino Mezzatesta issued a joint statement in response to the rumours.
“Following intensive consultation with the club, community, council and various State Government agencies, the proposed modification to the Concept Masterplan for the next stage of Woolooware Bay Town Centre has received ‘in principle support’ from the Department of Planning and Environment and is currently in the legislative process for a determination by the Planning Assessment Commission,” the statement said.
“Both the Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club and Capital Bluestone are fully focussed on ensuring construction on the retail centre and club can commence as soon as possible.
“Discussions are subject to commercial in confidence so no further comment is possible at this time.”
After the Leader asked for comment from the Department of Planning and Environment, the statement was retracted and replaced.
The new statement said, “We are yet to receive a formal response from the Department of Planning regarding a proposed modification to the Concept Masterplan for the next stage of Woolooware Bay Town Centre.
“We have been consulting intensively with all key stakeholders around the proposal, which is currently in the legislative process for a determination by the Planning Assessment Commission.”
The Leader’s print edition, reporting the “in principle support”, went to press before the retraction occurred.
A spokesman for the Department of Planning and Environment said the proposed modifications were still being assessed.
Sutherland Shire Council recommended the application for 222 apartments be refused, but supported construction of a hotel.
