The planned project will be on the old school site, will offer a number of uses.

The precinct will have it all, from commercial use with a supermarket and restaurants to entertainment with a cinema and nightclub. 

There also will be seniors residential self-care dwellings run by Evermore Retirement Living along with four penthouse apartments and hotel rooms.

The community spaces will include the library, community centre and visitor information centre.

While the land is owned by MidCoast Council, it will not be at the top of controlling and managing the investors and entities of the precinct. This will lie in the hands of council’s favoured developer Enyoc Ptd Ltd, a Queensland-based company. 

Council's commercial services co-ordinator, Allison Anthony said one of the common misconceptions of the precinct was council’s role, which will just be handling its facilities. 

“Upon completion, council will hold ownership of the civic/community facilities strata,” she said.

“The remaining strata lots will be held in private ownership.” 

Ms Anthony said negotiations with Enyoc Ptd Ltd had been extensive with up to eight consultants on board due to the size of the development. Enyoc Ptd Ltd, which is experienced in major developments and seniors living, was chosen because of the standard of its proposal, reasonable financial offer and capability to deliver the development. 

At last week’s (June 14) council development control unit meeting Enyoc Pty Ltd’s development application was noted and will be assessed by an independent consultant. 

The Local Environmental Plan (LEP) of the site will need to be changed, from 18-24 metres, up to 33 metres. Community submissions closed last Friday and will now be assessed. 

“We received a number of submissions and around 60 people attended three drop-in sessions. The feedback has been very positive.”