About us
The Festival Development Corporation's mission is to foster ecologically sustainable development at Mt Penang Parklands, complementing the existing heritage character, enhancing the quality of life of the people living nearby by providing new opportunities for recreation and reflection, creating new permanent jobs on the Central Coast and long term economic benefits for the region and the State.
Charter
The Festival Development Corporation is a statutory government authority created by the Governor of NSW under the Growth Centres (Development Corporations) Act 1974 and is, in all respects subject to the control of the Minister for the Central Coast.
The Corporation, as set out in the Act, is charged with the responsibility of promoting, coordinating, managing and securing the orderly economic development of the growth centre for which it was constituted.
Aims and objectives
The key role of the Festival Development Corporation is to implement a master plan it has prepared for 156 hectares of government owned land at Mount Penang, near Gosford. The master plan includes:
- A 200 site Event Park with associated bus and coach parking for major festivals and events.
- A sports park for cricket and other sporting codes.
- Community uses and environmentally sustainable infrastructure services.
- Mt Penang Gardens, featuring cascading water gardens and 12 unique garden rooms.
- A light industrial and commercial business park, together with tourism and retail premises.
Guiding principles
Core values guiding the development concept plan for Mt Penang Parklands include:
- Financial Viability requiring a mix of site uses that will be financially self-sufficient and maximise opportunities to create employment.
- Site Identity implementing environmentally sustainable development with sympathetically designed buildings that complement existing heritage buildings in a heritage listed, landscaped setting.
- Site Vitality creating a vibrant centre for major events, local celebrations and community activities.
- Community Consultation the community was consulted throughout the planning processes guiding future development.
