Environment & Planning Committee - Tuesday 2 June 2026

Topics

• Central Coast proposes new regulatory response to illegal camping and land clearing
  The committee backed exhibition of a three-year regulatory priorities statement with illegal camping, illegal land and tree clearing, and onsite sewage management identified as priorities.
  The approach could change enforcement in high-value recreational areas and increase compliance activity across the region.
• Lisarow rezoning proposals move towards state assessment
  Two separate Lisarow planning proposals were advanced towards Gateway Determination, including potential low-density residential zoning at 118–159 Macdonalds Road.
  The proposals could change development capacity, environmental controls, subdivision rights and future housing patterns.
• Central Coast backs heritage grants in principle but leaves $200,000 to future budgets
  A heritage grants program could return, but funding remains subject to a future budget decision.
  Heritage property owners and organisations may receive restoration assistance, including possible urgent support for the Henry Kendall Museum and Cottage roof.

Decisions

• Natural Disaster Resilience Strategy exhibition
  Recommended endorsing the draft Central Coast Natural Disaster Resilience Strategy and placing it on public exhibition for at least 42 days, followed by a report on feedback.
  Residents and community organisations will be able to comment on Council’s proposed approach to disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery.
• Regulatory priorities for 2026–2029
  Supported public exhibition of the draft regulatory priorities statement for at least 28 days. The carried amendment retains illegal camping as an enduring priority, adds illegal land and tree clearing and onsite sewage management, calls for quarterly compliance reporting, and proposes investigating short-term camping at the south-eastern corner of Koala Park or another location.
  The changes may affect enforcement in parks, reserves, beaches and waterfront areas, as well as compliance with land-clearing and onsite sewage rules.
• Lisarow planning proposal: The Ridgeway and Macdonalds Road
  Recommended forwarding a proposal for 129 The Ridgeway and 231 Macdonalds Road to the Minister for a Gateway Determination. It would introduce C4 Environmental Living and C2 Environmental Conservation zoning, a 1-hectare minimum lot size for C4 land and community-title subdivision restrictions, with consultation and a site-specific development control plan to follow.
  The proposal could affect future development, subdivision and environmental protection at the two Lisarow properties.
• Lisarow planning proposal: Macdonalds Road
  Recommended progressing the proposal for 118–159 Macdonalds Road to rezone land partly to R2 Low Density Residential while retaining or applying environmental and infrastructure zones, with specified height and minimum lot-size controls. Consultation would include the draft development control plan and planning agreement after Gateway requirements are set.
  The proposal could enable additional low-density residential development and change development controls in Lisarow.
• Heritage Small Grants Program
  Supported, in principle, reinstating the Heritage Small Grants Program, subject to a future budget allocation of $200,000. Future budgets will consider the program against other priorities, with administration by the Strategic Planning Unit. The committee also noted possible financial support for urgent restoration of the Henry Kendall Museum and Cottage roof.
  Heritage property owners and local heritage organisations may gain access to grants, but funding has not yet been allocated.
• Dogs in Open Space Action Plan
  Endorsed three concept options for a fenced off-leash area at The Haven, Terrigal, for at least 28 days of community consultation. No construction or funding commitment was made; feedback will return to Council before any implementation decision.
  Dog owners and nearby residents can comment on possible off-leash facilities, while construction is not yet approved.
• Open Pile Burning Policy
  Recommended adopting the amended Open Pile Burning Policy and repealing the September 2020 policy following community consultation and consideration of air-quality impacts from wood-fire burning.
  The policy will guide Council’s approach to open pile burning and may affect residents seeking to burn vegetation.
• Fire safety at 39–47 The Entrance Road
  Endorsed Council officers’ action to issue a Notice of Intent to Issue an Order addressing fire-safety and other non-compliance matters. An order may follow if the property owner cannot demonstrate that the issues have been resolved, and Fire and Rescue NSW will be notified.
  The action addresses identified fire-safety risks at a property in The Entrance.
• Town Centre Improvement Program priorities
  Recommended investigating Toukley and The Entrance in 2026–27, Lake Haven and Woy Woy in 2027–28, and Narara District—Lisarow, Wyoming, Niagara Park and Ourimbah—and West Gosford in 2028–29.
  These centres are scheduled for future improvement investigations, which may inform later public-realm or town-centre projects.

Discussion

• Swift Parrot Species Management Plan
  Recommended placing the draft plan on public exhibition for at least 28 days, with a later report on community feedback.
  The plan may influence habitat protection and development or land-management decisions affecting swift parrot populations.
• Wyoming telecommunications tower
  The committee noted an update on development application DA/1244/2025 for a telecommunications tower at Glennie Street, Wyoming. The amendment that removed an explicit statement of support for construction was carried.
  Residents near Glennie Street may follow the application’s progress and future assessment or approval decisions.
• Heritage and Culture Subcommittee
  Supported proceeding with appointments and convening the first Heritage and Culture Subcommittee meeting no later than August 2026.
  The subcommittee is intended to provide an ongoing forum for heritage and culture matters.
• Major development and planning applications
  Received updates on state significant development applications and other major projects, including submissions to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
  The updates may signal future planning and development decisions across the Central Coast.

Impacts

• Public exhibition periods are forthcoming for the disaster resilience strategy, regulatory priorities, fenced off-leash area concepts and swift parrot management plan.
• Planning proposals in Lisarow may change zoning, subdivision potential, minimum lot sizes and development controls.
• The Heritage Small Grants Program has in-principle support but remains subject to a future $200,000 budget allocation.
• The amended Open Pile Burning Policy was recommended for adoption, replacing the 2020 policy.
• Compliance action is being pursued over fire-safety issues at 39–47 The Entrance Road.

Places

• Central Coast Local Government Area (local government area)
  Coverage of the disaster resilience strategy, regulatory priorities and major planning matters.
• Lisarow (suburb)
  Planning proposals affect 129 The Ridgeway, 231 Macdonalds Road and 118–159 Macdonalds Road.
• Terrigal (suburb)
  The Haven is the proposed location for a fenced off-leash area.
• Koala Park (park)
  Possible location for a short-term camping ground under the amended regulatory priorities motion.
• The Entrance (town)
  Town-centre investigations and fire-safety action at 39–47 The Entrance Road.
• Toukley (town)
  First-year town-centre improvement investigation priority.
• Lake Haven (town)
  Second-year town-centre improvement investigation priority.
• Woy Woy (town)
  Second-year town-centre improvement investigation priority.

Next

• Place the draft Natural Disaster Resilience Strategy on public exhibition.
  For at least 42 days; a later report will consider feedback.
• Exhibit the draft 2026–2029 Regulatory Priorities Statement and report compliance activity quarterly.
  At least 28 days for exhibition; quarterly reporting to the Environment and Planning Committee.
• Seek Gateway Determinations and undertake consultation for the two Lisarow planning proposals.
  Following referral to the Minister and in accordance with Gateway requirements.
• Consult the community on the three The Haven off-leash area concepts.
  At least 28 days; outcomes return to Council before any implementation decision.
• Consider Heritage Small Grants Program funding in a future budget process.
  Future annual budget allocation process; proposed funding is $200,000.
• Convene the Heritage and Culture Subcommittee.
  No later than August 2026.
• Progress fire-safety enforcement at 39–47 The Entrance Road if issues remain unresolved.
  Following the property owner’s opportunity to demonstrate compliance.
• Hold the next Environment and Planning Committee meeting.
  7 July 2026.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Environment & Planning Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 2 June 2026 Members Status Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Chairperson Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Deputy Chairperson Present Cr Margot Castles, Member Present Deputy Mayor John Mouland, Member Present Cr Jane Smith, Member Present Cr Rachel Stanton, Member Present Council Officers Status Luke Nicholls, Director Environment and Planning Present Marissa Racomelara, Director, Corporate Services Present Shann Mitchell, Unit Manager, Environmental Compliance Services Present Breanna Pollock, Emergency Management Coordinator, Environmental Compliance Services Present (for I...