Message from the Minister
The Minister responsible for the Mt Penang Parklands project is:
The Hon (Tony) Anthony Bernard KELLY, ALGA MLC 
Member of the Legislative Council
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Minister for Lands,
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Leader of the House in the Legislative Council
- Member of Australian Labor Party
Ministerial office address
Level 34 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
T: 61 2 9228 3999
F: 61 2 9228 3988
Message from the Minister
As the Minister for Lands, I was recently given the responsibility for the Mt Penang Parklands project. I am delighted to be involved with such a significant successful regional project.
The history of the site is an interesting one, being a former juvenile justice facility. The NSW Government established the Festival Development Corporation to transform, enhance and grow the Kariong site in November 1998. Since that time, considerable investments by the taxpayer and the efforts of the community have transformed the Parklands.
Its open space, towering trees, historic buildings, natural and man-made attractions have made it a recreation and employment hub and a new gateway to the region It is the jewel of the Central Coast, enjoyed by residents and visitors year round.
The Corporation’s role 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.
Recent project successes include:
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the development of the new Kariong Mountains High School, which will open for students in term one 2010
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the Small Business Precinct becoming fully tenanted, providing commercial space for 35 companies and employing about 275 Central Coast residents
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the Ramm Botanical sponsorship of Mt Penang Gardens
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listing of the site on the NSW Heritage Register, as a place of State Significance.
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The creation of a brand new event park linked to Mt Penang Gardens, which will offer the integration of community spaces.
The next few years will see further development of Mt Penang Parklands to add to the region’s recreation, community and employment options. The site’s natural beauty, its heritage assets and its employment generation will continue to be enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors.
Tony Kelly MLC
Minister for Lands
