Environment & Planning Committee - Tuesday 1 September 2026

Topics

• Phegans Bay foreshore masterplan adopted without funding secured
  Council has adopted the long-term foreshore plan but says its projects are currently unfunded.
  Residents have a formal plan for the foreshore, but delivery will depend on future budgets and grants.
• Mountain Road development controls and infrastructure charges planned for 2027
  Council is progressing a location-specific development contributions plan and new planning controls for Mountain Road.
  The process could affect future development approvals, infrastructure funding and project costs.
• Council challenges NSW restrictions on councillors joining planning panels
  The Committee will lobby the NSW Government to allow councillors to serve as community representatives on Local Planning Panels.
  The dispute concerns local representation and influence over major development decisions.

Decisions

• Phegans Bay Foreshore Masterplan adopted
  Council adopted the Phegans Bay Foreshore Masterplan following public exhibition, will notify submitters, and will incorporate the plan into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program. The plan is currently unfunded.
  The masterplan sets the future direction for the Phegans Bay foreshore, but delivery will depend on future capital works budgets and grant funding.
• Mountain Road planning update
  The Committee considered progress on the Mountain Road resolution. The available minutes indicate that a development control plan and draft local infrastructure contributions plan are expected to commence in early 2027, with a location-specific Section 7.11 Development Contributions Plan proposed for Mountain Road.
  Future development in the Mountain Road area may be subject to new planning controls and infrastructure contributions.
• Planning-panel reform position adopted
  The Committee noted the progressive phasing out of the Hunter Central Coast Regional Planning Panel and the expiry of the Central Coast Local Planning Panel membership on 30 June 2027. It supported a motion calling on the NSW Government to remove the prohibition on councillors serving as community representatives on Local Planning Panels and to submit that position to the NSW Local Government conference.
  The reform may change how major development proposals are assessed and how local elected representatives participate in planning decisions.
• Fire-safety inspections received
  The Committee received Fire and Rescue NSW inspection reports for 107 Henry Parry Drive, 159 Mann Street, Gosford, and 1 Minnesota Road, Hamlyn Terrace, and resolved to receive further reports after Council staff review them.
  Further Council action may follow if the inspections identify fire-safety issues requiring compliance or other measures.

Discussion

• Phegans Bay foreshore planning and funding
  The adopted masterplan is not currently funded. Council will consider projects through future capital works and annual budget processes and apply for grants.
  Residents may see staged or delayed delivery of foreshore projects depending on future funding decisions.
• Mountain Road development controls and contributions
  The Committee received a progress update associated with Mountain Road, including planned development controls and a location-specific infrastructure contributions plan.
  The changes could affect development requirements, infrastructure funding and project costs in the Mountain Road area.
• Changes to planning-panel arrangements
  The Hunter Central Coast Regional Planning Panel is being phased out under NSW Government reforms, while the Central Coast Local Planning Panel will require new membership from 1 July 2027.
  The structure and community representation of local planning decisions may change.
• Development and major-project monitoring
  The Committee received updates on development application statistics, planning proposal statistics, State Significant Developments and other major applications.
  These updates provide ongoing visibility of development activity and major projects across the Central Coast.

Impacts

• Phegans Bay foreshore projects have no confirmed funding and will compete for future budget or grant support.
• Mountain Road development may be affected by new planning controls and a location-specific Section 7.11 contributions plan from the planning process expected to begin in early 2027.
• Planning-panel membership and councillor participation arrangements may change from 2027 under NSW Government reforms.
• Fire-safety matters at three properties will be reviewed by Council, with further reports expected.

Places

• Phegans Bay (foreshore and project area)
  Location of the adopted Phegans Bay Foreshore Masterplan.
• Mountain Road (road and planning area)
  Subject of a planning and infrastructure contributions progress update.
• Brisbane Water (waterway and management area)
  The masterplan will be incorporated into the coastal management program guiding management of Brisbane Water.
• 107 Henry Parry Drive, Gosford (property)
  Subject of a Fire and Rescue NSW fire-safety inspection report.
• 159 Mann Street, Gosford (property)
  Subject of a Fire and Rescue NSW fire-safety inspection report.
• 1 Minnesota Road, Hamlyn Terrace (property)
  Subject of a Fire and Rescue NSW fire-safety inspection report.

Next

• Consider Phegans Bay masterplan projects through future capital works and annual budget processes and pursue grant funding.
  Future budget and funding processes; no date specified.
• Commence preparation of the Mountain Road development control plan and draft local infrastructure contributions plan.
  Expected to commence in early 2027.
• Undertake steps to appoint revised Central Coast Local Planning Panel membership.
  Before the new membership commences on 1 July 2027.
• Review the Fire and Rescue NSW inspection reports and provide further reports to the Committee.
  Following Council staff review; no date specified.
• Submit the Committee's position on councillor participation in Local Planning Panels to the NSW Local Government conference.
  Timing not specified.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Environment & Planning Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 1 September 2026 Members Status Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Chairperson Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Deputy Chairperson Present (remotely) Cr Margot Castles, Member Present (remotely) Deputy Mayor John Mouland, Member Present (remotely) Cr Jane Smith, Member Present Cr John McNamara, Member Present (remotely) Mayor Lawrie McKinna Apology Cr Rachel Stanton, Member Apology Council Officers Status Luke Nicholls, Director Environment and Planning Present Shannon Turkington, Unit Manager Strategic Planning Present Andrew Roach, Unit Manager Development Assessment Present...