Ordinary Council Meeting - Tuesday 26 May 2026

Topics

• Central Coast waste tender to be built around weekly red-bin collection
  Council has chosen weekly general-waste collection as the basis for its next contract, while retaining a fortnightly opt-in option.
  The service model will affect household collection routines and future waste-contract arrangements across the Central Coast.
• Wyong site added to Council’s affordable housing land pipeline
  Council will investigate 8 Ranken’s Court as an affordable housing site and consider long-term leasing rather than transferring title.
  The decision could influence the supply and delivery model of future affordable housing in Wyong.
• Lake Munmorah rezoning proposal moves towards State consideration
  Council endorsed proposed RE2 recreation and C2 environmental-conservation zoning for 31 and 41 Kamilaroo Avenue.
  The proposal could materially change land-use rights and development controls at the two sites.

Decisions

• Weekly red-bin collection adopted for tender
  Council adopted weekly collection for the red-bin domestic waste service as part of the upcoming collection contract, with an option for residents to opt in to fortnightly collection.
  The future waste contract is being designed around weekly general-waste collection, while a fortnightly option may be available.
• Affordable housing land proposal expanded
  Council endorsed adding 8 Ranken’s Court, Wyong, to its Affordable Housing Land Proposal, requested investigation of long-term leasing and other development models, and sought a detailed follow-up report.
  The decision may support future affordable housing development and retain Council control over how the land is used.
• Local planning changes advanced at Lake Munmorah
  Council endorsed a planning proposal for 31 and 41 Kamilaroo Avenue, Lake Munmorah, including rezoning to RE2 Private Recreation and C2 Environmental Conservation and revised minimum lot sizes, subject to referral to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.
  The proposal could change permitted land uses and development potential at the two Lake Munmorah sites.
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan adopted
  Council adopted the Central Coast Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 and noted the outcomes of public exhibition.
  The plan sets Council’s inclusion priorities and actions for people with disability over the next four years.
• Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy put on exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft strategy for public exhibition for at least 28 days. A workshop and further committee report will follow consideration of submissions.
  Residents will have an opportunity to comment on proposed walking, wheeling and cycling priorities.
• Surf lifesaving leases and licences approved for negotiation
  The Chief Executive Officer was authorised to negotiate and execute leases and licences of up to 20 years for surf lifesaving purposes at 10 Vine Street, Avoca Beach, and 81 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal.
  The arrangements support the ongoing operation of Avoca Beach and Terrigal surf lifesaving clubs at their facilities.
• Community grants allocated
  Council allocated $22,448.50 from the 2025–26 grants budget to the March 2026 Community Support Grant Program and advised unsuccessful applicants where applications lacked information or were ineligible.
  Local community organisations receive support for approved projects, while unsuccessful applicants can be directed to alternative funding sources.
• Edogawa delegation budget increased
  Council endorsed the proposed itinerary and planning for the Central Coast Sister City Edogawa Mayoral visit and approved up to $10,000 in additional funding, bringing the total approved budget to $30,000.
  The additional public funding supports delivery of the international sister-city visit.
• Council fees and financial plan matters considered
  Council approved budget provision for increased Mayoral and Councillor fees and superannuation from 1 July 2026, adopted the March 2026 Quarterly Budget Review Statement and noted a further $300,000 fuel-budget allocation and authority to draw up to $600,000 from unrestricted funds if conditions deteriorate.
  The decisions affect Council’s 2026–27 budget, financial reserves and spending capacity.

Discussion

• Flood warnings and coastal management
  Council resolved to seek endorsement of proposed minor, moderate and major flood-warning levels for additional gauges in the Tuggerah Lakes for inclusion in the Bureau of Meteorology service agreement.
  Additional formal warning levels may improve flood information for communities around the Tuggerah Lakes.
• Transport-oriented development planning
  Council resolved to approach the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure about investigating Woy Woy as an Accelerated Transport Oriented Development precinct and Erina and Lake Haven as Tier 2 precincts.
  The process could influence future housing density, development and transport planning in these centres.
• Gosford parks conservation plan
  Council adopted the Gosford Memorial Park and Rotary Park Conservation Management Plan.
  The plan will guide future management and conservation of two Gosford public parks.
• Public-place memorial policy
  Council adopted the current Draft Memorials in Public Places Policy without amendment after considering risks involving equity, governance, asset management and the character of public spaces.
  The policy provides the framework for future memorial furniture and memorialisation requests in public places.
• Governance and information policies
  Council adopted the draft Communications and Media Relations Policy and endorsed draft Closed Circuit Television and Proactive Release of Information policies for at least 28 days of public exhibition.
  Residents can comment on how Council communicates, manages CCTV and proactively releases information.
• Long-term financial plan efficiency targets
  Council noted that scenarios in the Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2026–2036 rely on efficiency savings of about $11.1 million by 2031–32 and requested further information on governance, confidence, risks, contingencies and reporting before final adoption.
  The requested information is intended to clarify whether savings can be achieved without reducing service levels.
• Council meeting and committee arrangements
  A motion to rescind the earlier decision about meeting locations was lost. Council also changed the 2 June 2026 Environment and Planning Committee start time to 5:00 pm.
  The 2026 meeting-location decision remains in place, and the 2 June committee meeting will start earlier.

Impacts

• The upcoming waste tender will provide for weekly red-bin collection, with a possible fortnightly opt-in service.
• Residents can make submissions on the draft Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy during a public exhibition period of at least 28 days.
• Planning changes proposed for 31 and 41 Kamilaroo Avenue, Lake Munmorah, could alter zoning and development controls.
• The Affordable Housing Land Proposal now includes investigations into 8 Ranken’s Court, Wyong.
• Council’s financial plans include increased elected-member fees, a $300,000 fuel-budget allocation and potential use of up to $600,000 in unrestricted funds if financial conditions worsen.
• The next Ordinary Council Meeting is scheduled for 29 June 2026.

Places

• Central Coast local government area (service area)
  Council-wide waste, financial, planning and community decisions.
• Wyong (town)
  Council chambers and the 8 Ranken’s Court affordable housing site.
• Woy Woy (town)
  Proposed investigation as an Accelerated Transport Oriented Development precinct.
• Erina (town)
  Proposed investigation as a Tier 2 Transport Oriented Development precinct.
• Lake Haven (town)
  Proposed investigation as a Tier 2 Transport Oriented Development precinct.
• Lake Munmorah (town)
  Planning proposal for 31 and 41 Kamilaroo Avenue.
• Tuggerah Lakes (waterway area)
  Proposed additional flood-warning gauge levels.
• Gosford Memorial Park and Rotary Park (public parks)
  Conservation Management Plan adopted.

Next

• Proceed with preparation of the residential waste collection tender, including weekly red-bin collection and a fortnightly opt-in option.
  Upcoming collection contract tender; exact timing not stated.
• Place the draft Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy on public exhibition, then hold a Councillor workshop and prepare a further committee report.
  At least 28 days of exhibition; later workshop and report.
• Investigate 8 Ranken’s Court, Wyong, and report on long-term leasing and other development models.
  Detailed report to the next available Environment and Planning Committee meeting.
• Refer the Lake Munmorah planning proposal to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.
  Following Council endorsement; exact timing not stated.
• Seek flood-warning-level endorsement for additional Tuggerah Lakes gauges.
  Next application process; exact timing not stated.
• Place the draft CCTV and Proactive Release of Information policies on public exhibition.
  At least 28 days.
• Provide further strategic detail on Long-Term Financial Plan efficiency targets before final adoption.
  Before adoption of the 2026–2036 plan.

Extract

Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Ordinary Council Meeting held in the Central Coast Council Chambers 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 26 May 2026 Present Mayor Lawrie McKinna 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 Jane Smith Councillor Rachel Stanton Councillor Sharon Walsh Councillor Jared Wright Absent Deputy Mayor John Mouland (Leave of Absence) Councillor Belinda Neal (Leave of Absence) Council Officers Present David Farmer Chief Executive Officer Boris Bolgoff Director Infrastructure Services Luke Nicholls Directo...