Economic Development Committee - Tuesday 4 August 2026

Topics

• Central Coast committee orders deeper investigation into short-term rentals
  Council's Economic Development Committee has ordered a new report examining short-term rental trends, State Government changes and possible council action.
  The investigation could lead to future local policy affecting hosts, residents, housing availability and tourism accommodation.
• Central Coast backs conditional $41,553 bid to host 2028 LGNSW visitor economy conference
  The committee supported a preliminary $41,553 hosting budget, including $29,313 in cash costs, while Council seeks to host the 2028 conference.
  The spending is conditional on Council's bid succeeding, with Tourism Levy funding and potential business partnerships proposed to offset costs.

Decisions

• Further short-term rental accommodation investigation
  The committee received the short-term rental accommodation report and requested a further report for its 1 December 2026 meeting covering local trends, State Government decisions and possible council actions.
  The follow-up could inform future council responses to short-term rental impacts on housing, neighbourhoods and local tourism.
• Preliminary budget for 2028 LGNSW conference hosting
  The committee supported a preliminary hosting budget of $29,313 in cash costs and $12,240 in internal staff costs, totalling $41,553, if Council's Expression of Interest to host the 2028 Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference succeeds. It supported offsetting costs through matched Tourism Levy funding and potential partner contributions, with final costs to be reported after delegate numbers and program requirements are confirmed.
  The expenditure would be incurred during the 2027-28 financial year and is conditional on Council winning the hosting opportunity.

Discussion

• Short-term rental accommodation
  A report was received, with further investigation ordered into trends, State Government changes and possible council actions.
  Future policy options may affect residents, hosts, visitors and local rental availability.
• 2028 destination and visitor economy conference bid
  Council has submitted an Expression of Interest to host the Local Government NSW conference and supported a conditional preliminary budget and Tourism Levy funding contribution.
  Hosting could bring an event to the Central Coast, but the proposed costs depend on the bid succeeding and final arrangements.
• Economic insights reporting and dashboard
  A presentation was given on a proposed new economic insights reporting and dashboard layout. No substantive decision was recorded in the extracted minutes.
  Improved reporting could make local economic conditions and development trends easier to monitor, subject to any later Council decision.

Impacts

• A further short-term rental accommodation report is due at the 1 December 2026 Economic Development Committee meeting.
• Up to $41,553 in preliminary hosting costs is supported for the 2028 conference, conditional on Council's Expression of Interest succeeding.
• Tourism Levy funding and possible partner contributions are intended to offset conference hosting costs; final costs have not yet been confirmed.

Places

• Central Coast (local government area)
  Area covered by the committee's short-term rental accommodation work and the proposed conference bid.
• Wyong (facility location)
  The committee meeting was held at Function Room 2, 2 Hely Street, Wyong.

Next

• Prepare a further report on short-term rental accommodation, including council trends, State Government changes and possible actions.
  For the 1 December 2026 Economic Development Committee meeting.
• Refine conference hosting costs and seek a further report if the Expression of Interest succeeds.
  After delegate numbers, program requirements and final hosting costs are confirmed with Local Government NSW.
• Continue exploring funding and partnership opportunities to offset conference hosting costs.
  If the conference hosting Expression of Interest succeeds and during the 2027-28 budget process.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Economic Development Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 4 August 2026 Members Status Cr John McNamara, Chairperson Present Cr Jane Smith, Deputy Chairperson Present Mayor Lawrie McKinna Apology Cr Kyle MacGregor, Member Present Cr Trent McWaide, Member Present (remotely) Deputy Mayor John Mouland, Member Apology Cr Belinda Neal Present (remotely) Councillor Guests Status Cr Doug Eaton, OAM Present Cr Sharon Walsh Present Cr Margot Castles Present Guests Status Angus Witherby, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council Present (Item 1.1 – 2.1) Daniel Jackson, Chair, Darkinjung Loc...