5 BUSINESS NEWS THE LAND AND Environment Court has overruled a Central Coast Council refusal for a restaurant development at Kariong that will see a McDonalds, KFC and Guzman & Gomez restaurants operating on the site by the end of 2026. The development has been approved on land identified by Central Coast Council as the “Highway Commercial Precinct” on the Central Coast Highway at Kariong and will be undertaken by local developers Stevens Group and the Brand Group. Stevens Group and the Brand Group acquired the site from the State Government following a lengthy tender process that commenced well over a decade ago and included fast food as part of a masterplan considered by the Government during the process. The development was approved by the Land and Environment Court (LEC) after originally being refused by the Central Coast Local Planning Panel in November 2023. It had been referred to the Panel after 88 submissions were received by Central Coast Council, 86 of them objecting to the proposal, with a recommendation for refusal from the Council. But on May 2, LEC Commissioner Danielle Dickson upheld an appeal by Parklands Kariong Development Pty Ltd following conciliation meetings between the developer and Council. In upholding the appeal, Commissioner Dickson granted approval for a four-lot subdivision at the entry to the parklands to house three fast-food outlets – McDonald’s, KFC and Guzman y Gomez (GYG). The approval also encompasses associated external roadworks, earthworks, tree removal, landscaping, stormwater infrastructure and services, carparking and signage at 5 The Avenue. Roadworks will include construction of a new left-in (only) entry road (right of carriageway) and deceleration lane to the Central Coast Hwy and a second internal road (right of carriageway) for the three proposed food and drink premises. The McDonald’s restaurant will be on Lot 2 with a total gross floor area (GFA) CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 of 380sqm, 38 car spaces and two drivethrough bays. KFC will be on Lot 3 with a GFA of 272sqm, 32 car spaces and two drivethrough bays. GYG will be on Lot 4 with a GFA of 277sqm, 28 car spaces and two drivethrough bays. The decision follows a conciliation conference organised by the court between Council and the developer, which was held on November 4, 2024. The development has been located to preserve a large group of scribbly gum trees that exist on the frontage of the site. Big win for Stevens and Brand Group as L&E Court approves Kariong development Big enough to deliver yet small enough to care, our team of accredited, experienced senior lawyers are true experts in their fields of law. Professional, practical and passionate, we’ve been trusted by the Central Coast for generations. YOUR LEGAL LIFE PARTNERS AUBREYBROWN.COM.AU Image showing proposed restaurant precinct at Kariong CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW JUNE 2025
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