Environment & Planning Committee - Tuesday 3 November 2026

Topics

• Council pushes Minister to fast-track Wamberal Beach coastal protection approval
  The Committee backed an urgent ministerial meeting to expedite authorisation for coastal protection works at Wamberal Beach.
  The decision could affect the timing of action on coastal hazards for Wamberal residents, property owners and beach users.
• Somersby rezoning proposal receives another six months to resolve issues
  Council granted a further six months for the applicant behind the 239 Debenham Road North rezoning request to address outstanding matters.
  The extension keeps a local planning proposal active and delays any final outcome for the site and surrounding community.
• Council objects to reduced public notice for residential development applications
  The Committee will write to the State Minister opposing reduced exhibition and notification requirements for most residential development applications.
  Residents may receive less notice or have fewer opportunities to comment on nearby development proposals.

Decisions

• Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program
  The Committee noted public exhibition outcomes and recommended that Council adopt the final program for submission to the NSW Minister for Environment for certification. The Chief Executive Officer may make minor post-exhibition amendments based on departmental advice.
  The program will guide future management of coastal and river-system risks, environmental protection and related works.
• AI and digital planning technologies
  The Committee noted investigations into emerging technologies, endorsed guiding principles for future AI-enabled planning solutions and requested further information at a Councillor workshop on the AI Strategy.
  The principles are intended to guide how automated and digital tools may be used in future planning services and decisions.
• Wamberal Beach coastal protection works
  The Committee noted the request for ministerial authorisation under section 68 of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022 and recommended that the Minister for Recovery meet a Council delegation as soon as possible to expedite approval. A proposed amendment to include all interested Councillors in the delegation was defeated.
  The decision seeks to accelerate approval for coastal protection works affecting Wamberal Beach and nearby residents and property owners.
• 239 Debenham Road North, Somersby rezoning request
  The Committee received information on planning proposal RZ/2/2023 and granted the applicant a further six months to resolve outstanding matters. An amendment seeking a report into how the item was listed and details of Councillor notice or site visits was defeated.
  The rezoning process remains unresolved and will continue for at least another six months before further consideration.
• Community consultation for Central Coast Lagoons program
  The Committee adopted a subcommittee recommendation that Council consider face-to-face community consultations during exhibition of the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program.
  Residents may have an opportunity for in-person input into future lagoon and coastal management proposals.
• State Community Participation Plan
  The Committee received the report and agreed to write to the relevant State Minister expressing concern about reduced public exhibition and notification requirements for most residential development applications.
  Changes to notification and exhibition rules may reduce the information and participation available to residents affected by local development proposals.

Discussion

• Mobile food vending on community land
  The Committee considered a draft local approvals policy for mobile food vending on community land and placed it before the Committee for public exhibition. The available extract does not state the final resolution details.
  The policy may affect where mobile food vendors can operate on Council-managed land and how approvals are obtained.
• Planning and development statistics
  The Committee received updates on development application statistics, major development applications and planning proposal statistics.
  The reports provide information about development activity and planning proposals across the Central Coast, but the extract does not include specific figures.
• Ministerial approval pathway for Wamberal works
  Council is seeking approval from the NSW Reconstruction Authority under section 68 of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022 for coastal protection works at Wamberal Beach.
  The approval pathway is a key step before the proposed coastal protection works can proceed.

Impacts

• Coastal and river management planning will progress towards NSW Ministerial certification.
• Wamberal Beach coastal protection approval is being escalated through a proposed meeting with the Minister for Recovery.
• The Somersby rezoning request has been extended by six months for outstanding matters to be resolved.
• Future exhibition of the Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program may include face-to-face consultations.
• Residents may face reduced notification and exhibition opportunities for many residential development applications under proposed State participation changes.
• Future Council use of AI and digital planning tools will be guided by endorsed principles.

Places

• Wamberal Beach (beach/coastal project area)
  Location of proposed coastal protection works requiring ministerial authorisation.
• Somersby (locality)
  Location of the rezoning request at 239 Debenham Road North.
• 239 Debenham Road North (property/road address)
  Site of planning proposal RZ/2/2023.
• Hawkesbury-Nepean River System (river system/project area)
  Area covered by the Coastal Management Program proposed for adoption and certification.
• Central Coast Lagoons (coastal and lagoon system)
  Area covered by a draft Coastal Management Program subject to future exhibition and possible face-to-face consultation.
• Central Coast (local government area)
  Council area affected by planning, coastal management and development policy decisions.

Next

• Submit the final Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program to the NSW Minister for Environment for certification.
  After Council adoption; timing not specified.
• Make any minor post-exhibition amendments required on departmental advice before Ministerial certification.
  As required during the certification process.
• Provide further information at a Councillor workshop on the AI Strategy.
  At a future Councillor workshop; date not specified.
• Seek a meeting between the Minister for Recovery and a Council delegation to expedite Wamberal Beach authorisation.
  As soon as possible.
• Allow the applicant for 239 Debenham Road North, Somersby, a further six months to resolve outstanding matters.
  Six-month extension from the Committee decision.
• Consider face-to-face community consultations during exhibition of the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program.
  During the future exhibition process; date not specified.
• Write to the relevant State Minister about concerns over reduced development application exhibition and notification requirements.
  Following the Committee resolution; 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 3 November 2026 Members Status Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Chairperson Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Deputy Chairperson Present (remotely) Mayor John McNamara, Member Present Cr Margot Castles, Member Present (remotely) Cr John Mouland, Member Present Cr Jane Smith, Member Present (remotely) Deputy Mayor Rachel Stanton, Member Present (remotely) Councillor Guests Status Cr Helen Crowley Present Cr Belinda Neal Present (remotely) Council Officers Status Luke Nicholls, Director Environment and Planning Present Shannon Turkington, Unit Manager Strategic Planning Present...