Environment and Planning Committee - 1 Jul 2025 7:00 PM

Key decisions

• Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Sub-Committee terms adopted
  The committee adopted the Terms of Reference for the Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Sub-Committee, amending them so the committee runs for the full term of Council and meets quarterly on Tuesdays.
  Sets the governance framework for future coastal, estuary and floodplain risk management advice and oversight.
• Mangrove Mountain Advisory Sub-Committee terms recommended
  After a failed amendment motion, the committee recommended Council adopt the Terms of Reference for the Mangrove Mountain Advisory Sub-Committee as attached to the report.
  Affects how Council will engage on Mangrove Mountain matters through a formal advisory sub-committee.
• Keeping of Animals policy to go on public exhibition
  The committee recommended Council place the draft Keeping of Animals Policy on public exhibition for at least 28 days and add a clause about containing animals within property boundaries, with consideration for birds of flight.
  Residents will be able to comment on proposed rules affecting animal keeping and neighbour amenity.
• Draft Squirrel Glider Species Management Plan to go on public exhibition
  The committee recommended public exhibition of the draft Squirrel Glider Species Management Plan for a minimum of 28 days, with a further report to return after exhibition.
  Could influence environmental protections and planning considerations in areas where squirrel gliders are present.
• Fire safety matters noted and escalated for follow-up
  For 10 Fielders Street, West Gosford, the committee noted the Fire and Rescue NSW inspection report and requested a further report after staff review. For 2 Alexandra Street, Budgewoi, the committee noted concerns about delay in bringing the matter to Council and requested progress updates to committee members.
  Relates to building fire safety compliance and Council follow-up on potentially serious safety issues.
• FOGO facility project backed to move toward market testing
  The committee recommended Council accept the final FOGO Facility Business Case, support progressing a 100,000 tonne per annum in-vessel composting facility at Buttonderry Waste Management Facility, seek Office of Local Government assessment for the proposed PPP/BOOT model, and release an expression of interest subject to approvals.
  May shape future food and garden organics processing, waste services, and infrastructure investment on the Central Coast.
• Tourist accommodation proposals encouraged
  The committee noted planning proposal statistics and recommended Council encourage property owners, investors and tourism operators to submit proposals for high quality tourist accommodation and associated facilities, especially cabins, hotels and resorts.
  Signals Council support for more visitor accommodation, which may affect local development activity and the tourism economy.

Important topics

• Deferred Lands planning proposal information
  The committee noted the information report provided in response to a notice of motion about deferred lands planning proposals.
  Relevant to residents following future planning pathways for deferred lands areas.
• Development application statistics
  The committee noted the development application statistics report.
  Provides a snapshot of local planning activity and application workloads.

Resident impacts

• Residents can comment during public exhibition periods for the Keeping of Animals Policy and the Squirrel Glider Species Management Plan.
• Council is moving governance arrangements forward for coastal/floodplain risk and Mangrove Mountain advisory work.
• Fire safety issues at properties in West Gosford and Budgewoi remain under active follow-up.
• The proposed FOGO facility at Buttonderry could affect future organics waste processing and related infrastructure decisions.
• Council is signalling support for more tourism accommodation development proposals across the region.

Places affected

• Mangrove Mountain (locality)
  Subject of the advisory sub-committee terms of reference.
• West Gosford (suburb)
  Location of the fire safety report for 10 Fielders Street.
• 10 Fielders Street, West Gosford (property)
  Fire Safety Inspection Report from Fire and Rescue NSW was noted and referred for further report.
• Budgewoi (suburb)
  Location of the fire safety report for 2 Alexandra Street.
• 2 Alexandra Street, Budgewoi (property)
  Fire safety matter with committee concerns about reporting delay.
• Buttonderry Waste Management Facility (facility)
  Proposed site for the FOGO in-vessel composting facility project.
• Central Coast (service area)
  Broader area affected by planning, tourism and waste infrastructure decisions.
• Wyong (town)
  Council administration location referenced for committee operations and next meeting.

Next steps

• Place the draft Keeping of Animals Policy on public exhibition and report back after exhibition.
  At least 28 days exhibition; follow-up report afterward.
• Place the draft Squirrel Glider Species Management Plan on public exhibition and prepare a report on submissions and outcomes.
  At least 28 days exhibition; follow-up report afterward.
• Prepare a further report on the 10 Fielders Street fire safety matter after staff review of the Fire and Rescue NSW report.
  Future committee/Council reporting.
• Advise committee members of current progress on the 2 Alexandra Street Budgewoi fire safety matter.
  Ongoing.
• Refer FOGO recommendations to Council, seek Office of Local Government assessment, and subject to agreement release an expression of interest.
  Next Council and project approval stages.
• Provide a report summarising FOGO expression of interest submissions and recommending next steps, including later Infrastructure and Assets Committee consideration.
  After the EOI process.

Extracted minutes text

- 1 - Central Coast Council Environment and Planning Committee Held in the Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong 01 July 2025 MINUTES Attendance Members Status Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM, Chairperson Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Deputy Chair Present Cr Margot Castles, Member Present Cr John Mouland, Member Present Cr Jane Smith, Member Present (remotely) Cr Rachel Stanton, Member Present Staff Status Luke Nicholls, Director Environment and Planning Present Deanne Frankel, Section Manager Strategic Planning Projects Present Luke Sulkowski, Unit Manager Environmental Management Present Andrew Pearce, Unit Manager Waste and Resource Recovery Present Shann Mitchell, Unit Manager Environmental Compliance...