Environment & Planning Committee - Tuesday 6 October 2026

Topics

• Central Coast development contributions plan moves to public exhibition
  Council has advanced a draft Section 7.12 plan that could shape how future development contributes to local infrastructure.
  Developers, residents and infrastructure planners will be able to review and comment on the proposed contribution framework.
• Central Coast lagoons management plan opens for public comment
  A draft management program for Central Coast coastal lagoons is set to go on public exhibition.
  The program may influence future environmental management, restoration and community use of coastal lagoon areas.
• Gosford high-speed rail station planning delayed to November
  The Committee deferred the Gosford station item while noting $150 million in Australian Government design-package funding for the Berowra–Ourimbah section.
  The station location could affect future transport access, land-use planning and development around Gosford.

Decisions

• Works in Kind policy adopted
  The Committee adopted the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act Works in Kind Policy and Guideline, noting that only minor and administrative amendments had been made and the policy intent was unchanged.
  The policy will guide how development-related works are handled under planning agreements and infrastructure contribution arrangements.
• Coastal Management Program deferred
  Consideration of the Coastal Management Program for the Hawkesbury-Nepean River System was deferred to the 3 November 2026 Environment and Planning Committee meeting.
  Residents will need to wait for the Committee's further consideration of the river-system management program.
• Local infrastructure contributions plan advanced for exhibition
  The Committee recommended public exhibition of the draft Central Coast Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2026 for at least 28 days.
  The plan may affect how development contributes to local infrastructure, and residents and industry will have an opportunity to comment.
• Coastal lagoons program advanced for exhibition
  The Committee recommended public exhibition of the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program for at least 28 days.
  Residents will be able to comment on proposed management of Central Coast coastal lagoons.
• Local Strategic Planning Statement follow-up agreed
  A public engagement workshop was scheduled for 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the 4 November 2026 Committee meeting. A further report on consultation outcomes and finalisation of the draft statement is due on 1 December 2026.
  People who made submissions will have a further opportunity to provide feedback directly to the Committee.
• Calga Sand Quarry representatives nominated
  The Committee recommended Councillor Smith as the councillor representative and Councillor Walsh as the alternate representative on the Calga Sand Quarry Community Consultative Committee.
  The appointments provide councillor representation in ongoing community consultation about the quarry.
• Wetland City accreditation endorsed
  The Committee endorsed Central Coast Council's nomination for Wetland City Accreditation under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to submit it.
  The application could increase recognition of the Central Coast's wetlands and support environmental awareness and protection.
• Gosford high-speed rail station item deferred
  The Gosford High Speed Rail Station item was deferred to 3 November 2026. The Committee noted the Australian Government's $150 million design-package funding announcement for the Berowra to Ourimbah section, which includes the Gosford station location, and identified the station location as a priority planning project.
  The station's location and planning implications remain under consideration and may affect future transport access and development around Gosford.
• AI and digital planning technologies deferred
  The item on AI and digital planning technologies was deferred to 3 November 2026. The report outlined proposed guiding principles for future consideration of AI-enabled planning solutions.
  Future use of AI in planning decisions and services will be considered at a later meeting rather than taking effect immediately.

Discussion

• PFAS monitoring in the Ourimbah Creek Catchment
  The Committee noted the outcomes of Council's ongoing PFAS monitoring program and continued implementation of the Ourimbah Creek Catchment PFAS Management Plan.
  The program concerns monitoring and management of a potential water-quality risk affecting the catchment.
• Regulatory priorities for 2026–29
  The Committee considered the Regulatory Priorities Statement 2026–29 for adoption. The extracted minutes indicate that regulatory action will be undertaken in accordance with Council policy and legislative requirements, but do not provide the complete resolution text.
  The statement is intended to guide Council's environmental compliance and regulatory focus over the next three years.
• City Strategy and Major Projects work program
  The Committee received the 2026–27 work program and noted that Council is developing a Growth Infrastructure Program to prioritise Local Infrastructure Contributions spending on key local infrastructure.
  The program may influence which infrastructure projects receive priority from developer contributions.
• State Significant Development applications
  The Committee received an information report covering State Significant Development applications, including recent submissions to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
  The report tracks major development proposals and Council's input into the state planning process.

Impacts

• Public exhibition periods of at least 28 days are expected for the draft Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan and the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program.
• People who made submissions on the draft Local Strategic Planning Statement can participate in a public engagement workshop on 4 November 2026.
• The Gosford high-speed rail station location remains under review, with a further Committee discussion scheduled for 3 November 2026.
• PFAS monitoring and management will continue in the Ourimbah Creek Catchment.
• The adopted Works in Kind policy and guideline will influence development-related works and planning agreement processes.

Places

• Central Coast (local government area)
  Area covered by the infrastructure contributions plan, coastal lagoons program, Wetland City nomination and broader planning work.
• Gosford (town and project area)
  Proposed high-speed rail station location under further consideration.
• Ourimbah Creek Catchment (catchment)
  Area covered by ongoing PFAS monitoring and management.
• Hawkesbury-Nepean River System (river system)
  Area covered by the deferred Coastal Management Program.
• Calga (locality)
  Location of the Calga Sand Quarry Community Consultative Committee.
• Mangrove Mountain (locality)
  Area represented by the Mangrove Mountain Advisory Subcommittee.
• Central Coast coastal lagoons (environmental area)
  Area covered by the draft Coastal Management Program proposed for public exhibition.
• Berowra to Ourimbah (transport corridor)
  High-speed rail section included in the Australian Government design-package funding announcement.

Next

• Place the Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program on the 3 November 2026 Environment and Planning Committee agenda.
  3 November 2026
• Further consider the Gosford High Speed Rail Station and AI and digital planning technologies items.
  3 November 2026
• Hold the Local Strategic Planning Statement public engagement workshop.
  4 November 2026, 2:00pm–4:00pm
• Report on consultation outcomes and proposed finalisation of the Local Strategic Planning Statement.
  1 December 2026
• Exhibit the draft Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan for at least 28 days.
  Timing not stated in the extracted minutes
• Exhibit the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program for at least 28 days.
  Timing not stated in the extracted minutes
• Submit the Central Coast Wetland City Accreditation nomination under delegated authority.
  Timing not stated in the extracted minutes

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Environment & Planning Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 6 October 2026 Members Status Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Chairperson Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Deputy Chairperson Present Cr Margot Castles, Member Present Cr John Mouland, Member Present (remotely) Cr Jane Smith, Member Present Deputy Mayor Rachel Stanton, Member Present (remotely) Mayor John McNamara Present Councillor Guests Status Cr Helen Crowley Present Council Officers Status Luke Nicholls, Director Environment and Planning Apology Shannon Turkington, Acting Director Environment and Planning Present Shann Mitchell, Environmental Compliance Services Stepha...