Ordinary Council Meeting - Monday 29 June 2026

Topics

• Central Coast sets 2026–27 rates, charges and 9.5% overdue interest cap
  Council adopted the annual rates and charges package, including ordinary, special, waste, water, sewerage and drainage charges, and set the maximum overdue interest rate at 9.5%.
  Every ratepayer is affected, but the source does not state the percentage increase or household bill impact.
• Pensioners retain up to $425 in combined ordinary-rate, water and sewer rebates
  Eligible pensioners will receive rebates of up to $250 on ordinary rates and domestic waste charges, plus $87.50 each on water and sewerage charges.
  The concessions directly affect older residents managing household bills.
• The Entrance gets town-centre taskforce as Tuggerah Lakes dredging funding is deferred
  Council redirected funding from the 2026–27 dredging allocation to a The Entrance revitalisation taskforce and allocated $200,000 to heritage grants.
  The decision shifts spending between a lake-management program, town-centre activation and heritage support.

Decisions

• 2026–27 rates, fees and financial plans adopted
  Council adopted the Delivery Program 2025–2029, Operational Plan 2026–27, Fees and Charges 2026–27 and Long Term Financial Plan 2026–2036, with post-exhibition amendments and authority for the Chief Executive Officer to make minor legislative or administrative changes. The package includes a $50,000 minimum efficiency target for the community halls directorate and changes to funding priorities, including deferring the 2026–27 Tuggerah Lakes Dredging Program allocation and establishing a taskforce for The Entrance Town Centre.
  Residents will be affected by the adopted annual rates, waste, water, sewerage and drainage charges, service priorities and changes to capital and community-program funding.
• Rates, charges and pensioner rebates set
  Council made and fixed the ordinary and special rates and domestic waste, waste management, wastewater, water and drainage annual charges for 2026–27. Eligible pensioners will receive mandatory rebates of up to $250 for ordinary rates and domestic waste charges, and up to $87.50 each for water and sewerage charges. The maximum interest rate on overdue rates and charges was set at 9.5%.
  The decision determines household council charges, available pensioner concessions and the interest applied to overdue accounts for the 2026–27 financial year.
• The Entrance town-centre revitalisation funding redirected
  Funding from the deferred 2026–27 Tuggerah Lakes Dredging Program was reallocated to establish The Entrance Town Centre Reactivation Taskforce, including possible engagement of Renew Australia or another qualified place-activation organisation. A further $200,000 was directed to the Heritage Small Grants Program in the budget decision.
  The Entrance businesses, property owners and visitors may see future place-making and revitalisation initiatives, while dredging timing and heritage-grant funding priorities change.
• Natural Disaster Resilience Strategy goes to public exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft Central Coast Natural Disaster Resilience Strategy for public exhibition for at least 42 days and will consider a further report after community and stakeholder feedback.
  Residents and local organisations can review and comment on the proposed approach to disaster preparedness, resilience and recovery.
• Lisarow planning proposals advanced
  Council endorsed planning proposals for 129 The Ridgeway and 231 Macdonalds Road, Lisarow, and for 118–159 Macdonalds Road, Lisarow. The proposals seek land-use rezoning and related planning controls, including environmental, low-density residential and minimum-lot-size provisions, and will proceed through Gateway and consultation processes.
  Landowners, neighbours and prospective developers in Lisarow may be affected by future zoning, subdivision and development outcomes.
• Terrigal fenced dog-area concepts released for consultation
  Council endorsed three concept-plan options for a proposed fenced off-leash area at The Haven, Terrigal, for at least 28 days of community consultation. The decision does not commit Council to construction or funding.
  Dog owners, nearby residents, park users and local businesses can comment before any final decision on the facility.
• Open Pile Burning Policy adopted
  Council adopted the revised Open Pile Burning Policy and repealed the former policy adopted in September 2020. An amendment seeking an additional community education and communication program was not carried.
  Residents who burn vegetation or are affected by smoke will be subject to the revised rules, with further communication arrangements not specified in the adopted motion.
• Town-centre investigation order changed
  Council prioritised investigations into town centres from 2026–27, with Year 1 covering Woy Woy and The Entrance, Year 2 Lake Haven and Toukley, and Year 3 the Narara district—Lisarow, Wyoming, Niagara Park and Ourimbah—and West Gosford.
  The listed centres may receive earlier planning and improvement investigations that could guide future public-realm, access and investment decisions.
• Community grants and environmental works funded
  Council allocated $10,976 from the 2025–26 grants budget to successful April Community Support Grant applicants, including Wyong Family History Support Group Incorporated. It also approved $10,000 from the Protection of the Environment Trust Fund for MacMasters Beach Bushcare Group Inc to undertake dune regeneration at 13–25 Tudibaring Parade, MacMasters Beach.
  Community groups receive direct support, and dune-regeneration works will be undertaken at MacMasters Beach.
• Forresters Beach planning agreement variation approved
  Council authorised the Chief Executive Officer or delegate to execute a further variation to the planning agreement between Central Coast Council and Wathara NSW Pty Limited concerning land at Forresters Beach, and to notify submitters.
  The variation may affect planning obligations and future development arrangements associated with the Forresters Beach land.
• Several matters deferred to 28 July
  Council deferred the audio-visual attendance notice of motion, standing-committee delegations, Draft Playspace Strategy, Risk Management Policy and Internal Audit Charter, Hawkesbury Nepean River Management, Flag and Street Banner Policy, Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee minutes, and five notices of motion covering Bateau Bay shared-path access, rodenticides, infrastructure and housing, coastal-decision engagement and Tuggerah Lake entrance management.
  Residents will need to wait for the July meeting for decisions on these service, policy, infrastructure and coastal-management matters.

Discussion

• Financial management and debt write-offs
  Council received the May 2026 finance and investment reports and approved end-of-financial-year write-offs, including water and sewer debts attributed to insolvency or uneconomic recovery. The reported unrestricted drainage-fund deficit is offset by unrestricted funds in the General Fund.
  The reports provide information about Council’s financial position, investments and recovery of unpaid charges.
• Capital works reporting
  A proposed amendment seeking quarterly councillor dashboards for major capital projects, including budgets, expenditure, completion dates, risks and traffic-light status, was lost.
  The proposed public-accountability change was not adopted.
• Heritage Small Grants Program
  Council supported reinstatement of the Heritage Small Grants Program, subject to $200,000 being allocated through a future budget process, with administration by the Strategic Planning Unit.
  Owners and community groups seeking heritage conservation funding may need to await a future budget allocation.
• Swift Parrot Species Management Plan
  The draft plan was endorsed for public exhibition for at least 28 days, followed by a report on submissions.
  Residents and environmental groups can provide feedback on proposed management of swift-parrot habitat and conservation issues.

Impacts

• 2026–27 rates and service charges will apply, with a 9.5% maximum interest rate on overdue amounts.
• Eligible pensioners can receive rebates of up to $250 on ordinary rates and domestic waste charges, plus up to $87.50 each on water and sewerage charges.
• The Entrance, Woy Woy, Lake Haven, Toukley and the Narara district are prioritised for town-centre investigations.
• Planning proposals in Lisarow will proceed to Gateway and public-authority and community consultation.
• Residents can comment on the Natural Disaster Resilience Strategy, Terrigal dog-area concepts and the Swift Parrot Species Management Plan during their exhibition periods.
• Multiple policy and notice-of-motion matters will not be decided until the 28 July 2026 meeting.

Places

• The Entrance (town centre)
  Town-centre reactivation taskforce and Year 1 improvement investigations.
• Tuggerah Lakes (lake system)
  2026–27 dredging allocation deferred.
• Lisarow (suburb)
  Two planning proposals and future Narara district town-centre investigations.
• Terrigal (suburb)
  Proposed fenced off-leash area at The Haven subject to consultation.
• Woy Woy (suburb)
  Year 1 town-centre investigation and proposed Ocean Beach Road and Rawson Road intersection item deferred.
• MacMasters Beach (suburb)
  $10,000 dune-regeneration allocation at 13–25 Tudibaring Parade.
• Mangrove Mountain (locality)
  Budget allocation of $650,000 for reconstruction of public toilets was included in the budget debate.
• Forresters Beach (suburb)
  Planning agreement variation approved for land involving Wathara NSW Pty Limited.

Next

• Place the draft Natural Disaster Resilience Strategy on public exhibition for at least 42 days.
  Following the 29 June 2026 decision; subsequent report after exhibition.
• Conduct consultation on the three proposed fenced off-leash-area concepts at The Haven, Terrigal.
  At least 28 days; report back before any implementation decision.
• Progress the Lisarow planning proposals through Gateway determination and required consultation.
  Following referral to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.
• Exhibit the draft Swift Parrot Species Management Plan.
  At least 28 days; report on outcomes to the Environment and Planning Committee.
• Consider deferred policies, infrastructure matters and notices of motion.
  Ordinary Council Meeting on 28 July 2026.
• Develop and oversee The Entrance Town Centre Reactivation Taskforce.
  From the 2026–27 financial year.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Ordinary Council Meeting held in the Central Coast Council Chambers 2 Hely Street, Wyong Monday 29 June 2026 Present Acting Mayor John Mouland Councillor Lawrie McKinna (remotely) Councillor Margot Castles Councillor Helen Crowley Councillor Kyla Daniels Councillor Doug Eaton OAM Councillor Corinne Lamont Councillor Kyle MacGregor Councillor John McNamara Councillor Trent McWaide Councillor Belinda Neal Councillor Jane Smith Councillor Rachel Stanton Councillor Sharon Walsh Councillor Jared Wright David Farmer Chief Executive Officer Boris Bolgoff Director Infrastructure Services Luke Nicholls Director Environment and Planning Jamie Loader Direc...