Environment & Planning Committee - Tuesday 4 August 2026

Topics

• Former Old Sydney Town rezoning proposal moves towards state gateway assessment
  Council's Environment and Planning Committee recommended seeking a gateway determination for a major Somersby planning proposal.
  The proposal combines conservation land, heritage protection, tourism development, Reptile Park expansion and housing, creating potential impacts for residents, the environment and local traffic.
• Second public exhibition proposed for Central Coast draft Flood Policy
  A Council flood-management subcommittee has called for residents to get another opportunity to comment before the policy is adopted.
  The policy may influence flood-risk management and planning decisions affecting landowners and communities in flood-prone areas.
• Tuggerah Lake flood-control opening trigger proposed for 12-month trial
  A new 0.8-metre AHD trigger for mechanical intervention in the Tuggerah Lake pilot channel has been recommended for trial.
  Changes to the lake-opening procedure could affect flood mitigation, foreshore conditions and environmental management.

Decisions

• Former Old Sydney Town planning proposal supported for gateway consideration
  The Committee recommended that Council request a gateway determination from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for a proposal to rezone land at 945 Old Pacific Highway and 66 Myoora Road, Somersby. The stated reasons for support include increasing conservation-zoned land from 6 to 35 hectares, retaining and refurbishing heritage buildings, supporting expansion of the Australian Reptile Park, and creating a tourism precinct.
  The proposal could change land use, conservation areas, housing, heritage protection and tourism activity at the former Old Sydney Town site. A gateway request is an early planning step, not final rezoning approval.
• Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review recommended for adoption
  The Committee recommended that Council note minor changes made after public exhibition and adopt the Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review.
  The study informs future flood planning, development assessment and risk management around the Tuggerah Lakes catchment.
• Flood Policy to be publicly exhibited again
  The Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Subcommittee recommended that changes to the draft Flood Policy be noted and that the draft policy be publicly exhibited a second time before Council considers adoption.
  Residents and affected landowners should have another opportunity to review and comment on the proposed flood-policy changes.
• Tuggerah Lake opening procedure proposed for a 12-month trial
  The Committee noted a recommendation to amend the Tuggerah Lake opening procedure so that mechanical intervention in the pilot channel would occur at an actual lake level of 0.8 metres Australian Height Datum for a 12-month trial.
  The trial could affect flood mitigation operations and lake-management decisions for communities around Tuggerah Lake.
• Heritage and Culture Advisory Subcommittee terms considered
  The Committee lifted the deferred item from the table and resumed consideration of draft Terms of Reference for the Heritage and Culture Advisory Subcommittee. The membership had previously been finalised by Council.
  The subcommittee is intended to provide advice on heritage and culture matters affecting the Central Coast. The available extract does not state the final substantive vote outcome.

Discussion

• Former Old Sydney Town redevelopment
  A planning proposal seeks changes affecting 945 Old Pacific Highway and 66 Myoora Road, Somersby, including a tourism precinct, conservation land, heritage buildings and a residential component.
  Any future rezoning process could affect nearby residents, traffic, the local environment, heritage assets and tourism development.
• Flood policy and catchment planning
  The meeting considered a second public exhibition of the draft Flood Policy and adoption of the Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review.
  These documents may influence flood-risk information, planning controls and future mitigation works.
• Tuggerah Lake management
  A 12-month trial was recommended for mechanical intervention in the Tuggerah Lake pilot channel at 0.8 metres AHD.
  Lake levels and opening decisions can affect flood risk, environmental conditions and foreshore communities.
• State significant development update
  The Committee noted that SSD-63475709, a seniors housing development at Tumbi Umbi/Mingara Recreation Club, had been approved by the NSW Independent Planning Commission. It also noted that no new major project development applications had been lodged with Council since the previous meeting.
  The approved development may affect local growth, traffic, services and surrounding amenity.
• Development application activity
  The Committee recommended that Council note the development application statistics in the relevant report.
  The statistics provide an indication of current planning and development activity across the Central Coast, although figures are not included in the extract.

Impacts

• A second public exhibition is expected for the draft Flood Policy before possible adoption.
• Flood planning and development assessment may be informed by the recommended adoption of the Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review.
• A proposed 12-month Tuggerah Lake pilot could change the trigger for mechanical intervention in the pilot channel.
• The former Old Sydney Town planning proposal may proceed to a state gateway assessment, but rezoning has not been finally approved.
• The seniors housing development at Tumbi Umbi/Mingara Recreation Club has received approval from the NSW Independent Planning Commission.

Places

• Somersby (locality)
  Location of the former Old Sydney Town planning proposal at 945 Old Pacific Highway and 66 Myoora Road.
• 945 Old Pacific Highway (road and project site)
  Part of the former Old Sydney Town planning-proposal site.
• 66 Myoora Road (road and project site)
  Part of the former Old Sydney Town planning-proposal site.
• Tuggerah Lake (lake and flood-management area)
  Subject of the proposed pilot-channel opening procedure.
• Tuggerah Lakes catchment (flood-management area)
  Area covered by the Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review.
• Tumbi Umbi (locality)
  Location of the approved seniors housing development associated with Mingara Recreation Club.
• Mingara Recreation Club (facility and development site)
  Site of State Significant Development application SSD-63475709.

Next

• Seek a gateway determination from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for the Somersby planning proposal.
  Following the Committee recommendation; timing not specified.
• Publicly exhibit the draft Flood Policy for a second time before Council considers adoption.
  Future step; date not specified.
• Progress the recommended adoption of the Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review.
  Subject to Council consideration; date not specified.
• Consider the proposed 12-month Tuggerah Lake pilot using a 0.8-metre AHD trigger for mechanical intervention.
  Subject to Council consideration; trial timing not specified.
• Hold the next Environment and Planning Committee ordinary meeting.
  1 September 2026.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Environment & Planning Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 4 August 2026 Status Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Chairperson Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Deputy Chairperson Present (for items 1.1-1.2) Cr Margot Castles, Member Present (for items 1.1-1.2) Deputy Mayor John Mouland, Member Apology Cr Jane Smith, Member Present (for items 1.1-1.2) Cr Rachel Stanton, Member Present (remotely) Cr John McNamara, Member Present Mayor Lawrie McKinna, Member Present (remotely for items 1.2-4.6) Councillor Guests Cr Kyle MacGregor Present (for items 1.1-1.2) Guests Status Chris Shannon, Western Sydney Practice Director, MEKONE Present (It...