Ordinary Council Meeting - Tuesday 28 July 2026

Topics

• Council seeks way to keep rates payments at Australia Post after September cut-off
  Central Coast Council will investigate continuing rates payments at local post offices after acknowledging community opposition to the planned 29 September 2026 termination.
  Residents relying on in-person payments may lose a familiar local service unless Council finds a way forward.
• Lake Munmorah recreation precinct gets $830,360 for accessible toilet and CCTV
  Council approved additional funding for accessibility and security infrastructure at Lake Munmorah, offset by a reduction to the Colongra sporting facility project budget.
  The decision delivers specific public facilities while reshuffling the capital works program rather than increasing its total size.
• Central Coast opens public feedback on new water and sewer customer charter
  The draft 2026 Water and Sewer Customer Charter will go on public exhibition for at least 28 days before Council considers adoption.
  The charter may shape customer service expectations for water and sewer users across the region.

Decisions

• Lake Munmorah recreation precinct funding
  Council approved an $830,360 budget increase for Project 26865 to construct a fully accessible public toilet and CCTV infrastructure. The funding will come from the Northern District Contributions Plan, with an equivalent reduction to the Colongra Sporting Facility Development budget so the overall Capital Works Program does not increase.
  Improves accessibility, safety and facilities at the Lake Munmorah Recreation Precinct without increasing the overall capital works budget.
• Draft Playspace Strategy 2026–2030 adopted
  Council adopted the strategy as the framework for planning, delivering, upgrading and managing playspaces across the Central Coast. Implementation remains subject to future priorities, annual budgets and external funding.
  Sets the basis for future playspace upgrades, but does not guarantee funding for particular locations.
• Water and Sewer Customer Charter exhibited
  Council endorsed the draft Central Coast Council Water and Sewer Customer Charter 2026 for public exhibition for at least 28 days, with a further report to follow after the exhibition period.
  Residents will have an opportunity to comment on proposed water and sewer customer service standards.
• Community Support Grants allocated
  Council allocated $24,430.87 from the 2026–27 grants budget to eligible May 2026 applications, including grants for U3A Central Coast, Fairhaven Services, Gosford City Brass Band, Central Coast Triathlon Club, EDSACC Croquet Club, Rotary Club of Gosford North and Central Coast Music and Arts. A Rui Deng application was declined because the applicant was ineligible.
  Supports local community, cultural, sporting and accessibility activities, while one application was refused on eligibility grounds.
• Gosford Coming Alive 2040 endorsed
  Council endorsed Gosford Coming Alive 2040 and authorised the Chief Executive Officer to make administrative or minor changes. It also commenced implementation of the governance structure. An amendment seeking a dedicated public webpage and quarterly reporting was lost on the Mayor’s casting vote.
  Begins implementation of a long-term Gosford program, while detailed public reporting requirements proposed during debate were not adopted.
• Development control amendments adopted
  Council adopted exhibited and amended changes to the Central Coast Development Control Plan 2022 and delegated implementation actions to the Chief Executive Officer.
  May affect planning controls and development applications across the Central Coast.
• Rodenticide use review required
  Council resolved to identify the specific rodenticide products and active ingredients used across Council facilities, transition where practicable to non-second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, and provide a report within six months.
  Could reduce risks to wildlife, pets and non-target animals around Council facilities.
• Australia Post rates-payment service to be reviewed
  Council acknowledged that payment of rates at Australia Post local post offices is scheduled to end on 29 September 2026 and noted community opposition. It requested a report to the August Council meeting on how the service could continue.
  Residents who pay rates at local post offices may retain the service, but continuation has not yet been decided.

Discussion

• Standing committee authority
  Council adopted Option 3 for delegating authority to standing committees under section 377 of the Local Government Act 1993 and requested updated Terms of Reference by the August 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting. Alternative governance models were not adopted.
  Changes how some Council business may be considered and delegated.
• Shared pathway at Bateau Bay
  Council recognised the Anne Findlay Place to Bateau Bay Square pathway as important infrastructure that is regularly affected by flooding, but adopted an amendment directing attention to the Draft Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy and its proposed August Infrastructure and Assets Committee consideration.
  The pathway serves nearby retirement and aged-care residents and links to the library, medical services and post office.
• Homes and infrastructure
  A motion on accelerating infrastructure delivery to unlock more homes was deferred to the September Economic Development Committee for detailed discussion.
  Housing delivery and the infrastructure needed to support new homes remain under consideration.
• Terrigal Haven marine protection
  Council received and noted a progress report on protected marine species management at Terrigal Haven. An amendment seeking ministerial advocacy and a further report was lost on the Mayor’s casting vote.
  No new advocacy or reporting commitment was adopted at this meeting.
• Hawkesbury-Nepean River management
  Council received the management report and agreed to write to The Hills Shire Council offering support for its resolution on proposed governance and management of the river.
  Signals regional advocacy on management of a river system affecting environmental and water-management interests.
• Investment policy
  Council adopted the reviewed Investments Management Policy, including definitions of socially responsible investment and environmental, social and governance investment.
  Sets principles for how Council manages investments, including consideration of responsible-investment concepts.

Impacts

• A fully accessible public toilet and CCTV infrastructure will be funded at the Lake Munmorah Recreation Precinct.
• Residents can comment during at least 28 days of public exhibition on the draft 2026 Water and Sewer Customer Charter.
• Local community organisations received $24,430.87 in May 2026 community grants.
• Rates payments at Australia Post local post offices are scheduled to end on 29 September 2026, subject to a report on possible continuation.
• The Bateau Bay shared pathway remains affected by regular flooding, with broader pathway priorities to be considered through the walking, wheeling and cycling strategy.
• A report on Council’s rodenticide use and possible transition away from SGAR products is due within six months.

Places

• Central Coast (local government area)
  Area covered by the Council’s strategies, grants, planning controls and customer charter.
• Lake Munmorah Recreation Precinct (recreation facility)
  Site of the $830,360 accessible toilet and CCTV funding decision.
• Colongra Sporting Facility (sporting facility)
  Project budget reduced by an equivalent amount to offset Lake Munmorah funding.
• Gosford (town and project area)
  Focus of the Gosford Coming Alive 2040 program and location of 108 Donnison Street.
• Anne Findlay Place, Bateau Bay (road and locality)
  Beginning of the flood-affected shared pathway to Bateau Bay Square.
• Bateau Bay Square (shopping and services precinct)
  Destination of the shared pathway, including the library, medical services and post office.
• Terrigal Haven (coastal locality)
  Site of the protected marine species management update.
• The Entrance Channel and Tuggerah Lake (waterway and coastal area)
  Subject of advocacy concerning dredging and entrance management.

Next

• Place the draft Water and Sewer Customer Charter 2026 on public exhibition.
  At least 28 days; adoption report to follow the exhibition period.
• Provide updated Standing Committee Terms of Reference for adoption.
  No later than the August 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting.
• Report on the Lake Munmorah Recreation Precinct project, expenditure and potential joint use with adjoining stakeholders.
  August 2026 Infrastructure and Assets Committee.
• Discuss infrastructure delivery needed to unlock more homes.
  September 2026 Economic Development Committee.
• Report on Council’s rodenticide products, active ingredients and transition progress.
  Within six months.
• Report on options to continue rates payments at Australia Post local post offices.
  August 2026 Council meeting.
• Notify Local Government NSW of the seven appointed voting delegates.
  By 30 September 2026.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Ordinary Council Meeting held in the Central Coast Council Chambers 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 28 July 2026 Present Mayor Lawrie McKinna Deputy Mayor John Mouland Councillor Margot Castles Councillor Helen Crowley Councillor Kyla Daniels Councillor Doug Eaton OAM Councillor Corinne Lamont (remotely) Councillor Kyle MacGregor Councillor John McNamara Councillor Belinda Neal Councillor Jane Smith Councillor Rachel Stanton Councillor Sharon Walsh Councillor Jared Wright Apologies Councillor Trent McWaide Officers Present David Farmer Chief Executive Officer Boris Bolgoff Director Infrastructure Services Luke Nicholls Director Environment and Plan...