For the second time in five years Shoalhaven City Council has called for expressions of interest over the site of the former Tourist Information Centre in Nowra.
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The 8112 square metre site just south of the southern Shoalhaven River crossing on the corner of the Princes Highway and Pleasant Way, is in a prominent position as the entrance to Nowra.
The property, which council purchased many years ago as a strategic investment, is being offered by Wollongong firm Martin Morris and Jones.
A sign, erected at the property on Monday, boasts the chance to "create a vision with this gateway development site".
The sign also says "council is seeking a visionary development partner."
The site was the former tourist information building and once home to the Nowra Bomaderry Leagues Club.
Council's hugely successful Holiday Haven Tourist Parks division operates out of part of the current building, while the other side is occupied by a Thai restaurant.
The property is zoned B4, for mixed use and is probably one of the most flexible zoning in council's LEP [Local Environmental Plan], which could allow for uses including residential development integrated with a range of retail, business and community developments.
The site also boasts three street frontages.
Council initially called for expressions of interest for the site in August 2016.
Controversy erupted at the time that EOI went on display with questions of what would happen to the iconic Iroquois navy helicopter, commonly known as the "helicopter on a stick" if the site was sold and developed.
Council then passed a motion the sale exclude the land on which the helicopter was located plus a reasonable curtilage and provision be made for the protection of Graham Lodge.
In September 2017 the property was "under negotiation" with Sydney group, Asset Group Solutions, for what was believed to be between $2.5 and $4 million.
The group had plans to redevelop the site with retail, commercial and residential components, including two towers, one six storeys and the other four.
In the end that deal was discontinued by mutual agreement, with a great deal of uncertainty around the site in relation to then planning for the third Shoalhaven River crossing.
In those early planning stages, Pleasant Way was to be closed to highway traffic, curtailing any possible access to the site from the Princes Highway.
After consultation and community submissions, access to Pleasant Way was redesigned as part of the bridge project to allow a left hand turn only slipway into Pleasant way.
The site could be keenly sought after after it was revealed in January this year the Mosman Property Group has acquired the Nowra Gateway Caravan Park adjacent to the Nowra Bridge, with plans to establish a tourism and business/conference accommodation venue.
Expressions of interest for the site close with MMJ on June 24.