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The owners of a 120 hectare parcel of land on the NSW Central Coast that encompasses the former Old Sydney Town attraction have lodged plans to transform the site into Australia's first comprehensive tourism industry precinct, combining a wide range of cultural tourism, recreation and entertainment experiences.

World Culture Tourism Village (WCTV), which purchased the site in 2018, is furthering their vision for the site which would combine 14 tourism elements and could reuse parts of the Old Sydney Town while also potentially expanding the Australian Reptile Park, the region’s premier tourist destination attracting some 300,000 visitors annually.

Just over an hour’s drive from central Sydney, and located at the Gosford exit of the Pacific Highway, Somersby and with the Brisbane Water National Park on its western boundary, the area is a high priority for re-development as identified in the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036.

The Sydney-based consortium is currently seeking a rezoning for parts of the site - currently zoned as E4: environmental living - as well as Expressions of Interest from operators and investors who want to be part of stage one of the precinct’s redevelopment as well as its later phases.

Covering around 20% of the site, proposals for the first stage include an artificial surf wave attraction, local agricultural-based food and beverage outlets, artist workshops and studios, short-stay accommodation, an Aboriginal Cultural Centre recognising the Indigenous caretakers of the Central Coast and extended car parking facilities for the Australian Reptile Park.

The WCTV executive team have advised that the consortium’s plans for the site aim to provide employment, recreation and tourism opportunities for the region into the future.

A WCTV spokesperson stated “when we purchased the site, to our knowledge we were the only prospective buyer who considered redevelopment from a tourism perspective, as we had a strong vision for its tourism potential.

“Our vision is not to deliver a single large attraction like a theme park but to create a unique tourism hub bringing together a range of leisure-time experiences.”

WCTV advise “given the relatively limited size and spread out nature of Australia’s population we see the site operating as a hub - with multiple different attractions. Whilst we plan to cater to the local community and Central Coast population, we envisage the majority of visitation will travel from the Sydney catchment.”

With the concept having grown to 14 potential elements, including the reuse of parts of Old Sydney Town, WCTV will provide the framework and infrastructure for operators and investors to develop specific parts of the site, and advise there may be flexibility to adjust the plan according to investor needs.

WCTV believe the location and business model will drive success, saying “we will benefit from the location, with the site’s proximity to Sydney and the Australian Reptile Park being an established attraction, our precinct-based business model and the diversified elements will attract visitors year-round.”

Beyond its development, WCTV will also create a domestic tourism operating vehicle, and is potentially looking for another partner for this venture.

Plans for later stages of this cultural, entertainment and tourism precinct unique in Australia, will see the reuse of the former Old Sydney Town site as a cultural theme park, reusing some of the former heritage attraction’s original buildings as the hub of a key attraction, along with a performing arts area, entertainment and attractions, retail and exhibition facilities, further food and beverage outlets, water-based activities, a hotel and short-stay accommodation and residential development.

The total site includes the former Old Sydney Town (approximately 11 hectares) - which operated on the site between 1975 and 2003, before closing after many years of financial losses; the Australian Reptile Park (5.4 hectares), which operates on a long lease, as well as over 100 hectares of land that wraps around both sites and is currently vacant.

WCTV undertook a community engagement program in early 2019 and is continuing to work through plans with a wide range of stakeholders for the project.

Engaging with local communities and businesses will see stage one include a creative corner with artist workshops and studios, the sale of local agricultural products and ‘paddock to plate’ outlets and other showcases for local products

Envisaging both global and domestic investment interest, the WCTV consortium has “a proud and extensive history in delivering world-class projects around the globe, including; resorts, hotels, office buildings, industrial parks and boutique residential developments.”

As for the consortium’s vision, they say “the reimagining and redevelopment of this site represents a compelling and unique opportunity for the Central Coast, with significant investment, major new employment opportunities and delivering a major boost to the social and economic infrastructure for the region.

“Importantly, the current proposal seeks to not only maintain but also improve the Australian Reptile Park to create a unique Australian learning and recreational centre with improved amenities, conservation and tourism experiences.”

WCTV is hopeful that it will receive planning approval in the coming months with initial projects to get underway in 2022.

For more information 1800 954 226, E: business@wctv.com.au

Images: The 120 hectare World Culture Tourism Village site (top), the the Australian Reptile Park, which attracts some 300,000 visitors annually (middle) and the former Old Sydney Town (below).

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