Strategic Design Partner appointed for The Gosford Challenge

The appointment follows an exhaustive selection process to choose the winner for The Gosford Challenge – a strategic partnership between the NSW Government and Gosford Council to design a revitalisation of Gosford Harbour.

Speaking at the announcement, Design Director for The Cox Group, Patrick Ness said, “Gosford has a range of natural attributes that need to be maximised and to help us achieve that community consultation will be vital. We expect to be able to present a plan for the future of the City by November.” Mr Ness has a history of involvement in award-winning architectural projects. He is a member of the Design Panel of the National Executive Committee for The Cox Group.

Twenty-six firms originally expressed interest in the project and this was narrowed down to two by an Evaluation Panel, which then took four days to come up with a consensus that The Cox Group had the edge against their rivals. “We’re looking forward with great excitement to working with The Cox Group team. No-one present at their design workshop could fail to be thrilled by the picture they created of the prospects for our town,” commented Council’s Director of Development, Colleen Worthy-Jennings.

Mr Ness, who will be managing the project, said that he would be taking a new approach. “This is a most challenging and exciting project and we will be coming up with a vision, not a masterplan. The old models are out. We need to understand that we live in a society not an economy, so the community will be vitally involved and I invite those interested who have something to offer to join the partnership,” he said.

Speaking at the launch function, General Manager of the NSW Department of Lands, Graham Harding said, “This project has been a collaborative government effort. We have listened to the community and totally support it.”

The Cox Group is a large architectural firm with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra as well as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm was established by Philip Cox some forty years ago and has undertaken numerous large scale projects. He is one of Australia’s best known architects who has many years experience in urban renewal design projects both here and overseas.

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