Environment & Planning Committee - Tuesday 7 July 2026

Topics

• Central Coast committee backs $200,000 pathway to revive heritage grants
  The Heritage Small Grants Program could return, but only if Council approves $200,000 in a future budget.
  Community groups and heritage property owners may again seek assistance for restoration work, including the Henry Kendall Museum and Cottage roof.
• Planning rules set for Central Coast Development Control Plan update
  The committee recommended adoption of exhibited and amended changes to the Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022.
  The changes may affect future development applications, planning assessments and neighbouring residents.
• Council weighs park sites and alternatives for temporary homelessness accommodation
  Koala Park and Woodbury Park were debated as possible temporary camping locations, while a later recommendation called for alternative sites and a long-term solution.
  The decision could affect people experiencing homelessness, nearby residents, park users and support services.

Decisions

• Development Control Plan amendments recommended
  The committee recommended that Council adopt the exhibited and amended changes to the Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022, delegate implementation actions to the Chief Executive Officer, and notify submitters.
  The amendments may affect planning controls and development proposals across the Central Coast.
• Adopt a Verge Program confirmed
  The committee determined that the Adopt a Verge Program would be finalised under delivery Model A within the adopted budget and asked officers to seek funding support from all existing state members.
  Residents and community groups may continue to participate in verge adoption activities without a new budget allocation identified in this meeting.
• Heritage Small Grants Program supported in principle
  The committee supported reinstating the Heritage Small Grants Program in principle, subject to $200,000 being allocated through a future budget process, and asked that funding be considered alongside other budget priorities.
  Owners and community groups seeking heritage restoration assistance may have access to grants in future, but funding has not yet been allocated.
• Heritage and Culture Advisory Subcommittee matter deferred
  The committee laid the report on the table after considering the finalised membership and draft terms of reference. No final adoption decision was made.
  The advisory subcommittee’s operating arrangements remain unresolved.
• Homelessness accommodation options considered
  The committee considered a proposal to seek permission to use the former caravan park area at Koala Park for short-term tent camping and to explore nearby Woodbury Park facilities. A later motion recommended seeking alternative locations and continuing work with state and federal agencies and support services on a long-term solution.
  The outcome concerns possible temporary accommodation locations and the council’s response to homelessness in the region.
• Fire safety action at 108 Donnison Street
  The committee recommended that Council not issue an Order under Part 2 of Schedule 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in relation to matters raised in the Fire and Rescue NSW inspection report, and notify the Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner.
  The decision records Council’s enforcement position on identified fire-safety matters at the Gosford property.
• Development and planning statistics received
  The committee received planning proposal information, noted development application statistics, and acknowledged the fast-track development assessment process.
  The reports provide information about planning workload and development assessment performance, but did not approve a specific application.

Discussion

• Future heritage funding
  Reinstatement of the Heritage Small Grants Program was supported in principle, conditional on a future $200,000 budget allocation.
  Future funding could assist urgent restoration projects such as the Henry Kendall Museum and Cottage roof.
• Temporary homelessness accommodation
  The committee debated use of Koala Park and nearby Woodbury Park facilities, alongside a recommendation to seek alternative sites and longer-term support arrangements.
  The issue may affect people experiencing homelessness, nearby residents, park users and service providers.
• Planning control changes
  Amendments to the Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022 were recommended for adoption after public exhibition and amendment.
  Planning controls guide development outcomes and may affect applicants, neighbours and local communities.
• Adopt a Verge delivery model
  The committee selected delivery Model A and confirmed delivery within the adopted budget while seeking state funding assistance.
  The program may affect streetscape maintenance, resident participation and community volunteering.

Impacts

• Potential future heritage grants remain subject to a later budget decision and a $200,000 allocation.
• Planning controls may change once Council formally adopts and brings the Development Control Plan amendments into effect.
• The Adopt a Verge Program is to continue under Model A within the existing adopted budget.
• People experiencing homelessness may be affected by further investigation of temporary camping sites and alternative accommodation locations.
• No enforcement order is recommended for the fire-safety matters considered at 108 Donnison Street, Gosford.

Places

• Central Coast (local government area)
  Area covered by the Development Control Plan, planning statistics and regional homelessness response.
• Henry Kendall Museum and Cottage (heritage facility)
  Potential beneficiary of future Heritage Small Grants funding for urgent roof restoration.
• Koala Park (park/former caravan park)
  Considered as a possible short-term tent-camping location for people experiencing homelessness.
• Woodbury Park, Wyong (park)
  Section nearest the Council pump station considered in connection with short-term camping and toilet facilities.
• 108 Donnison Street, Gosford (property)
  Site of Council’s fire-safety inspection and proposed decision not to issue an order.

Next

• Council to consider the recommended Development Control Plan amendments and officers to bring any adopted amendments into effect.
  Following Council consideration
• Council officers to notify people who made submissions on the Development Control Plan amendments.
  After Council’s decision
• Council officers to write to existing state members seeking funding for the Adopt a Verge Program.
  Following the committee resolution
• Council to consider a $200,000 allocation for the Heritage Small Grants Program against other priorities.
  Future annual budget process
• Officers to investigate alternative homelessness accommodation locations and continue working with state and federal agencies and support services.
  Ongoing
• Council to advise the Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW of the decision regarding 108 Donnison Street.
  Following the committee recommendation

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Environment & Planning Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 7 July 2026 Members Status Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Chairperson Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Deputy Chairperson Present (remotely) Mayor Lawrie McKinna, Member Apology Cr Margot Castles, Member Present Deputy Mayor John Mouland, Member Present (remotely) Cr Jane Smith, Member Present Cr Rachel Stanton, Member Present Council Officers Status Shannon Turkington, Acting Director Environment and Planning Present Brett Sherar, Unit Manager Open Space and Recreation Present Luke Sulkowski, Unit Manager Environmental Management Present Rick Gatt, Section Manager Parks a...