Cedar Mill acquisition explored as key roadworks stall entertainment hub

Lake Macquarie City Council expects to deliver a memo to its councillors in three months outlining the costs and consequences of a potential compulsory acquisition of the Cedar Mill site.

Last week West Ward Liberal councillor Jason Pauling submitted a notice of motion, which was supported by his colleagues, for the council to begin investigating a compulsory acquisition of the former Morisset Golf Course site, which is owned by Newcastle developer Winarch Group.

"There is a significant amount of work required to investigate the feasibility, costs and implications of pursuing any compulsory acquisition of land," a spokesperson for Lake Macquarie City Council said.

"We would expect it will take approximately three months to complete this work and prepare a memo for councillors.

"In terms of timeframes to actually compulsorily acquire the Cedar Mill site, it is premature to speculate before we've even assessed the feasibility of such action."

The council spokesperson confirmed that Winarch had contacted the council on Wednesday morning last week for an "informal discussion canvassing the issue" following the endorsement of Cr Pauling's motion.

"We are always happy to meet formally with major development proponents to discuss any issues or concerns affecting their DAs," the spokesperson said.

Winarch Group CEO Kyle McKendry responded to Cr Pauling's motion last week by stating that the developer remains committed to building an entertainment venue at Morisset.

However, Mr McKendry could not give a timeframe on when a modified development application would be submitted to the council due to delays in Transport for NSW finalising its redevelopment of Mandalong Road in Morisset.

Cr Pauling was also singled out in the response when Mr McKendry said, "Winarch Group has not been contacted by councillor Jason Pauling at any time regarding this project or any of our other projects currently being delivered."

Cr Pauling said while he still hopes Cedar Mill is successfully built for the Lake Macquarie community, it would be inappropriate to meet with the developer.

"It's my job to hold them to account and defend the community," Cr Pauling said.

"Secret meetings with developers is something I'm not interested in and it's grossly inappropriate.

"However, I'm happy to engage in a public forum and if they want to organise a town hall event with a public gallery, I'm happy to go along and talk to them in front of everyone."

Transport for NSW is overseeing a $76 million upgrade of Mandalong Road and Dora Street between Gimberts Road and Ourimbah Street funded by the Australian and NSW governments.

The project will replace the existing roundabout with traffic lights at the Mandalong Road-Freemans Drive-Dora Street-Wyee Road intersection and increase capacity on all approaches.

Two new bus stops on Dora Street and a shared user path will also be built.

The project has been in the detailed design phase since June 2025, when the tender was awarded to global engineering, architecture and construction company GHD.

"Transport is continuing to progress through design development and funding approvals, which need to be finalised before the procurement process can commence," a spokesperson for Transport for NSW said.

"Subject to property acquisitions, project approvals and release of funding, construction is expected to start later this year. It is expected the project will be open to traffic by the end of 2029."

Transport for NSW has been in continuing discussions with Winarch and the Mandalong Road Upgrade project aligns with the developer's original approved $235 million Cedar Mill development for a 30,000-capacity outdoor entertainment venue.

Winarch has since indicated they will downscale the development to separate 10,000-capacity indoor and 5,000-capacity outdoor venues.

Winarch Group was approached for comment.

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