Forster Civic Precinct build to start in January
Published on 19 November 2018
Construction will commence in January 2019 on stage one of the Forster Civic Precinct, incorporating MidCoast Council and community facilities.
Council’s facilities at the Forster Civic Precinct are being developed by private developer Enyoc Pty Ltd on behalf of Council, and will see an $18 million community development comprising Council library, visitor information centre and community facilities built on the 'old school' site on the corner of Lake, West and Middle Streets Forster.
"MidCoast Council is investing $6 million in the facilities, and Enyoc is providing $6 million to Council for development rights over the residual land on the site," explained Council's Director of Corporate and Business Systems, Steve Embry. The agreement allows for the residual of the site to be developed by Enyoc for commercial purposes, over several stages, which include facilities such as seniors living apartments, retail shops, supermarket, hotel and a gymnasium.
The remaining $6 million is provided by the Federal Government through its National Stronger Regions Fund, announced in 2015. Last week, Federal MP Dr David Gillespie met with Council's General Manager Adrian Pannucio and Steve Embry, announcing the commencement of works.
The Civic Precinct project has progressed over a period of 10 years, with the need for community meeting facilities in Forster's central area becoming apparent. At around the same time, it was recognised that the Great Lakes Library building was an inadequate size - only half the NSW Library minimum recommended size for the community it serves, and the visitor information centre was in need of major repairs and refurbishment.
It's planned that the strata subdivision of stage one will occur by December 2019, dividing the Council facilities from the residual property, which Enyoc will then develop.
At this stage, MidCoast Council plans to have the facilities completed and ready for opening to the public by September 2020.
More information on the development and history of the Forster Civic Precinct project is available at the link above.