Recently members of the Alliance Committee met with Darren Nicholson, Ricci Schwarzler and Greg Williams of Hunter Group, developer of the Wallalong development to the north of the heritage village. Hunter Group also owns land and buildings in the heritage section of Catherine Hill Bay (see map) as well as the Catho Pub. The purpose of the meeting was to learn more about plans for commercial development in Catherine Hill Bay and how this may relate to the Council's progress in implementing its Catherine Hill Bay Masterplan.

Hunter Group wishes to construct a new pub/club on land adjacent to the oval, overlooking the beach. Their intent is that this will help to activate the oval, provide facilities for beach-goers and walking trail users, along with the planned Council community centre. This commercial facility could have meeting rooms that the community could use, and potentially other facilities such as cafe and playground, in addition to the bar and restaurant. There are no plans for the pub/club to have accommodation, although on separate land behind the beach low-rise, glamping-like structures are proposed.

Currently a design competition is underway with local University Architecture students working on designs for the glamping structures and the pub/club. Hunter Group will review all of the student designs in the next few months, with preferred designs to be selected by the end of this year. Once the plans for the hotel and glamping structures are further progressed, they are happy to come to a community meeting and show us the proposed plans and answer any questions.

Hunter Group will also construct their portion of the Coastal Walkway which is required after the first 100 lots of the Wallalong Development are sold.

Hunter Group indicated that current plans include bringing water and sewer to the proposed new pub/club and community facilities, with potential to hook up heritage properties along Flowers Drive.

Darren also explained that he is open to donating the proceeds of seven residential lots on Flowers Drive to help fund the construction of the future Council-developed community facilities and surroundings.

Location map - areas in red owned by Hunter Group

Note:

The land owned by Hunter Group in the attached map currently has different zonings which allow different types of development. The section outside the Heritage Precinct, on either side of Flowers Drive, is zoned R2 (residential) and has an approval to build some 200 houses. The land within the Heritage Precinct is zoned either RE1 (public recreation) or C2 (environmental conservation). Neither of these zonings would allow residential development or accommodation facilities, although RE1 zoning would appear to permit a cafe or restaurant. Any rezoning of land would need to go through a lengthy process involving both Council and the NSW Planning Department, which would include public consultation.

Zoning: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/environment-and-heritage/environment-zones

The Catherine Hill Bay Masterplan https://www.lakemac.com.au/Projects/Catherine-Hill-Bay-Precinct-Master-Plan prepared by Lake Macquarie Council incorporates a community hall at Middle Camp along with a renovation of the sporting oval and other buildings and facilities to serve the community. LMCC has confirmed that funding has been identified to complete these works, from development contributions and other sources.

Development Update - Hunter Group