Old Sydney Town site at Somersby gains council approval for major rebuild
Central Coast Council voted 7-6 to advance the 120-hectare site for state approval.
The abandoned Old Sydney Town site at Somersby has cleared a major hurdle after the Central Coast Council narrowly endorsed a redevelopment plan. Councillors voted 7-6 to send the application to the NSW government for final approval.
World Cultural Tourism Village bought the 120-hectare site in 2018, 15 years after the theme park closed in 2004. The new proposal would restore historic buildings including the church, jail, dockyard and windmill, then add a visitor centre, cafe, restaurant and museum.
The project would also create about 579 ongoing jobs and attract an estimated $76.6 million in tourism spending each year. The Australian Reptile Park next door backs the plan because it will get extra parking and room to expand.
The most contentious part is 256 new homes on 30 per cent of the site, which the developer says is needed to fund the tourism and conservation work.
- 120 hectares
- Site size
- 7-6 in favour
- Council vote
- 256
- Residential lots planned
- 579
- Ongoing jobs
Why it mattersOld Sydney Town was a beloved heritage attraction for generations. The redevelopment could bring back a significant tourist draw for the Central Coast.
AustraliaThe Somersby site revival could boost visitor numbers and local jobs on the Central Coast. The project also protects 35 hectares as conservation land.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
