Ordinary Council Meeting - Tuesday 25 August 2026

Topics

• Council backs fight against planned Terrigal shark nets as seal ‘Terri’ becomes part of the debate
  Central Coast Council formally opposed the planned 1 September shark-net installation at Terrigal Beach and highlighted marine-life risks.
  The decision directly affects beach users, marine wildlife and the State Government’s shark-mitigation program.
• Tuggerah Lake to get 12-month pilot-channel intervention trial under adopted flood study
  Council adopted the Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review and approved mechanical intervention at 0.8 metres AHD for a 12-month trial.
  The trial could influence flood-risk management, lake levels, environmental outcomes and future entrance-opening policy.
• Former Old Sydney Town redevelopment decision pushed to October
  Council deferred a proposed rezoning of 945 Old Pacific Highway and 66 Myoora Road in Somersby.
  The decision leaves the future planning pathway for a prominent former tourism site unresolved.

Decisions

• Opposition to shark nets at Terrigal Beach
  Council noted shark-net installation was due to begin on 1 September 2026, reaffirmed support for removing shark nets and expressed concern about impacts on marine life and the seal known as Terri.
  Residents and beach users may see Council advocate to the State Government against the planned Terrigal Beach installation.
• Tuggerah Lakes flood management actions
  Council adopted the Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study Review and approved a 12-month trial requiring mechanical intervention of the Tuggerah Lake pilot channel when the lake reaches 0.8 metres AHD, with further reporting on flood, environmental and entrance-morphology impacts.
  The decision may affect flood-risk management and lake-opening operations around Tuggerah Lakes.
• Somersby rezoning request deferred
  Consideration of a request to amend the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 for 945 Old Pacific Highway and 66 Myoora Road, Somersby, the former Old Sydney Town site, was deferred to the 27 October 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
  The planning outcome for the former Old Sydney Town site remains unresolved and will return for consideration.
• Artificial intelligence governance framework progressed
  Council noted that an AI Policy and supporting Governance Framework are being prepared. A draft is scheduled for the November 2026 Council meeting and is expected to address AI use, governance, reporting, comparable council practice and resource implications before public exhibition.
  Future Council use of AI will be subject to a proposed public policy and governance process.
• Community grants approved
  Council approved $40,429.40 from the 2026-27 grants budget for June Community Support Grant recipients, including Woy Woy Rugby Club, Killarney Vale Australian Football Club, Copacabana Community Association, The Bays Community Group, Wyongah Progress Association and other community organisations.
  Local organisations will receive funding for participation, equipment, events, rates support and community programs.
• Funding pressure for The Art House Wyong air conditioning
  Council considered an additional $544,805 allocation for the Auditorium Air Conditioning Replacement project at The Art House Wyong. An amendment seeking a further report on funding the work from projects other than the Kariong Education and Care renewal project was lost on the Mayor’s casting vote; debate then resumed on the original motion.
  The decision involves a substantial adjustment to Council’s capital works funding and may affect The Art House facility.
• Australia Post payment-service advocacy
  Council supported advocacy for a coordinated Service NSW, State and Commonwealth approach to enable suitable government payments through Australia Post and to offset councils’ costs for over-the-counter payment services. A communication strategy was also requested regarding Council rates and water-bill payments at local post offices.
  The issue affects residents who rely on in-person payment services, particularly regional, older, vulnerable and digitally excluded residents.
• Economic Development Committee conference proposal
  Council approved a preliminary budget of $29,313 in cash costs and $12,240 in internal staff costs, totalling $41,553, if Central Coast Council’s expression of interest to host the 2028 LGNSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference succeeds. Tourism Levy matched funding and partner investment were proposed to offset hosting costs.
  Hosting the conference could bring visitor and business activity but would involve Council and tourism-related funding.

Discussion

• Public reporting accessibility
  Council considered a deferred motion seeking more accessible monthly performance reporting, including contemporary formats, plain-English explanations, examples from other councils and resource implications, with information to be considered by the Governance and Finance Committee.
  Residents may receive clearer information about Council’s financial and performance results if the proposed improvements proceed.
• Local Strategic Planning Statement
  Council noted the public exhibition of the draft Local Strategic Planning Statement and that a full report on submissions and the strategy will return in due course; changes and possible re-exhibition remain possible.
  The statement will help shape long-term planning decisions across the Central Coast.
• Environment and Planning Committee validity dispute
  Councillors debated whether the 4 August 2026 Environment and Planning Committee meeting had a valid quorum. A proposal to declare the meeting invalid was not adopted, and the matter was laid on the table.
  The dispute creates uncertainty around the status of committee recommendations and governance processes.
• Flood policy re-exhibition
  Council resolved that the draft Flood Policy be publicly exhibited for a second time before adoption.
  Residents will have another opportunity to comment on the proposed flood-management policy.
• Apex Park public toilet, Wyong
  Council resolved to seek broader community and local-stakeholder input about the proposed demolition of the Apex Park public toilet before proceeding.
  Wyong residents and park users will be consulted about a possible loss of public toilet facilities.
• Councillor investment and government-payment motions
  The agenda included a notice of motion concerning Council investment portfolios and a separate motion seeking improved access to government payment services through Australia Post and Service NSW.
  These matters concern the management of public funds and access to convenient payment channels.

Impacts

• Terrigal Beach users may be affected by the planned State Government shark-net installation and Council’s advocacy against it.
• Flood-risk planning and Tuggerah Lake opening operations will be informed by the adopted flood study and 12-month pilot-channel intervention trial.
• The former Old Sydney Town site in Somersby remains subject to a future planning decision.
• Community groups will receive $40,429.40 in June grants from the 2026-27 budget.
• Wyong residents will be consulted about the possible demolition of the Apex Park public toilet.
• Residents who depend on in-person transactions may benefit if State and Commonwealth governments support a broader Australia Post payment-service model.
• The Art House Wyong air-conditioning project involves a proposed $544,805 capital-budget adjustment.

Places

• Terrigal Beach (beach)
  Planned shark-net installation and Council opposition to shark nets.
• Tuggerah Lakes (lake system)
  Adopted flood study and 12-month pilot-channel intervention trial.
• Somersby (locality)
  Deferred rezoning request for the former Old Sydney Town site.
• 945 Old Pacific Highway and 66 Myoora Road (planning site)
  Land subject to the deferred Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 amendment request.
• The Art House Wyong (cultural facility)
  Auditorium air-conditioning replacement and proposed additional funding.
• Apex Park, Wyong (park and public facility)
  Consultation on proposed public-toilet demolition.
• Kariong Education and Care (capital project)
  Project identified as the proposed offset for The Art House funding.
• Woy Woy (locality)
  Community Support Grant recipient and Australia Post service-access context.

Next

• Prepare and present the draft AI Policy and Governance Framework to Council, with proposed public exhibition before final adoption.
  November 2026 Council meeting
• Return the Somersby rezoning request for consideration.
  27 October 2026 Ordinary Council meeting
• Conduct the Tuggerah Lake pilot-channel intervention trial and report its outcomes to the relevant subcommittee and Council.
  12-month trial; subsequent reporting
• Publicly exhibit the draft Flood Policy for a second time.
  Before adoption; date not specified
• Seek community and stakeholder input on the proposed Apex Park public-toilet demolition.
  Before any demolition decision; date not specified
• Develop a communication strategy about Council rates and water-bill payment options at local Australia Post offices.
  Timing not specified
• Return reporting on improved monthly performance-reporting formats to the Governance and Finance Committee.
  Timing not specified
• Consider hosting arrangements and final costs if the 2028 conference expression of interest succeeds.
  After Local Government NSW decision and confirmation of conference requirements

Extract

Central Coast Council - Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes 25 August 2026 OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Ordinary Council Meeting held in the Central Coast Council Chambers 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 25 August 2026 and Monday 31 August 2026 Present Mayor Lawrie McKinna (apology - 31 August 2026) Deputy Mayor John Mouland Councillor Margot Castles Councillor Helen Crowley Councillor Kyla Daniels (remotely - 31 August 2026) Councillor Doug Eaton OAM Councillor Corinne Lamont (remotely - 31 August 2026) Councillor Kyle MacGregor Councillor John McNamara Councillor Trent McWaide Councillor Belinda Neal Councillor Jane Smith Councillor Rachel Stanton (remotely - 31 August 2026) Co...