As long ago as 1974, Warnervale was planned as the “next Canberra” complete with a light rail system via Wyong linking it to Bateau Bay.
Under the somewhat fanciful plan it would have been a combination of public and private enterprises. A detailed plan was even drawn up by enthusiastic Government consultants.
The plan was for tens of thousands of workers to be “trained in” every day. Sadly, it never happened as mining leases underneath the area somewhat mysteriously held sway with the government of the day.
The latest version of Warnervale Town Centre will be built along Sparkes Rd next to the railway line and a new North Wyong Railway Station is to be constructed to service the site.
The State Government has predicted that by 2031 the Central Coast will have an additional 100,000 residents, and this will require around 45,000 more jobs (as outlined in the Central Coast Regional Strategy).
Within this strategy the Warnervale Town Centre (WTC) has been identified as a future centre that will help manage this massive growth in population.
Central Coast Council administrator Ian Reynolds and his staff have been in serious talks with Woolworths about their plans for the site including a major distribution centre west of the railway. A spokesman from the supermarket chain said they were committed to being part of the town centre.
The spokesman said a new timeline for the project would be announced soon. A major supermarket is critical to the future success of the centre.
The Warnervale Town Centre covers a 119 ha site bounded by Hakone Road to the North, Hiawatha Road to the east, Sparks Road to the South. It extends west of the Great Northern Railway Line to include land that is owned by the NSW
Department of Planning and Infrastructure, adjacent to the Railway.
The Warnervale Town Centre site was rezoned to create approximately 15 ha for retail and commercial uses, and 64 ha for residential uses. The remainder of the site has been rezoned open space, conservation and special activities, including an 8 ha nature reserve.
The Town Centre will be focused on a vibrant main street that provides access to all the principal activities within the town centre. It has been designed with people in mind and will contain a balance of shopping, community facilities, entertainment facilities and open space. The town centre will include:
• A library/knowledge centre that incorporates a range of community functions.
• A focus on a mix of retail commercial and residential areas including cafes, restaurants and entertainment facilities on the main street.
• Transport upgrades including the new station including bus interchange and commuter car park, new roads, cycle ways, footpaths and more public transport.
• Employment opportunities for approximately 1,200 people in retail, commercial and bulky goods sectors.
• Open space and conservations areas.
• An Indoor Recreation Centre.
The area surrounding the town centre has boomed in recent times with new housing estates popping up everywhere. The adjacent suburb, Woongarah, contains some of the4 coast’s best new housing.
Prices for homes are also booming. For example, a four bedroom two storey home bought three years ago for $580,000 in Mataram Road is now valued at over $800,000.
The construction of the town centre will turn Warnervale into one of the state’s best new urban areas with huge growth potential. It is close to the M1 Motorway and just five minutes from Central Coast Airport.
