NEW HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL PRECINCT - KARIONG
May 13, 2025
A new restaurant development has been approved on land identified by Central Coast Council as the “Highway Commercial Precinct” on the Central Coast Highway at Kariong.
The development is being undertaken by Stevens Group and the Brand Group, boasting a combined history in property on the Central Coast exceeding 100 years. The developers 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.
Fast food restaurants are the milk bars of today’s society and it is expected that they will collectively employ 180 local staff once trading commences. A similar number of jobs will be created during construction.
As part of the development, improvements will be undertaken to local traffic and transport infrastructure in the area including a new bus stop on Central Coast Highway and an additional access point to Mt Penang via an east bound slip lane on Central Coast Highway that will connect with Festival Drive. An additional right turn lane southbound out of The Avenue onto Central Coast Highway will be added as part of the Stage One works.
The development has been located to preserve a large group of scribbly gum trees that exist on the frontage of the site. About one hectare of the total site area of 5.735 hectares, 17.4% of the site, is being conserved for environmental protection and managed under a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP). The BMP aims to maintain the heritage value of the listed Scribbly Gums and to regenerate mapped Swift Parrot
habitat. It incorporates best practices in bushland restoration, management of invasive species and revegetation in order to achieve the plan’s objectives within five years.
Construction is expected to commence early in 2026 and be completed later the same year. The Plant Lover’s Festival will continue to use part of the site as a car park for their annual festival.