Central Coast lagoon plan may include face-to-face community consultations The Environment & Planning Committee has recommended that Council consider in-person consultations during exhibition of the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program, but has not committed to holding them. Council: Central Coast Council Meeting: 3 November 2026 Recorded status: proposed BRIEF Central Coast Council’s Environment & Planning Committee has recommended that Council consider face-to-face community consultations during exhibition of the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program. The recommendation does not commit Council to holding in-person sessions, and the minutes give no exhibition date, consultation locations or session numbers. KEY FACTS - The Environment & Planning Committee met on 3 November 2026. - The committee adopted the subcommittee recommendation that Council consider face-to-face consultation during exhibition of the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program. - The resolution was a recommendation to Council, not a final Council decision approving consultation sessions. - The minutes do not specify consultation locations, dates, numbers of sessions or an exhibition timetable. - The motion was recorded as carried, with seven named committee members in favour and no votes against. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The adopted recommendation asks Council to consider face-to-face consultations as part of the exhibition process, rather than approving a consultation schedule. - The minutes do not provide an exhibition date or practical details for any in-person sessions. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - Will Council include face-to-face sessions in the exhibition arrangements? - When will the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program be exhibited? - Where and how many in-person sessions would be offered if Council proceeds? SOURCE PASSAGES The committee adopted a subcommittee recommendation that Council consider face-to-face community consultations during exhibition of the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program. "1. Receives and notes the minutes and recommendations of the Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Subcommittee meeting held on 29 September 2026. 2. Adopts the recommendation of the Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Subcommittee in the below resolution: CEFRM-26/26 That the Committee recommends that Council considers face to face community consultations as part of the Draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program exhibition process." (Item 3.1, adoption of subcommittee recommendation CEFRM-26/26) The motion was recorded as carried with seven named committee members in favour and no votes against. "CARRIED FOR: Cr Eaton OAM, Cr Walsh, Cr Castles, Cr Smith, Cr Mouland, Deputy Mayor Stanton and Mayor McNamara AGAINST: Nil 4 REPORTS 4.1 State Community Participation Plan - for Information 6:20pm A MOTION was MOVED by Cr Castles and SECONDED by Cr Walsh: EPC-26/263 That the Committee recommends that Council: a." (Item 3.1 vote, before the heading for reports) The Environment & Planning Committee meeting was held on 3 November 2026. "OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Environment & Planning Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 3 November 2026 Members Status Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Chairperson Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Deputy Chairperson Present (remotely) Mayor John McNamara, Member Present Cr Margot Castles, Member Present (remotely) Cr John Mouland, Member Present Cr Jane Smith, Member Present (remotely) Deputy Mayor Rachel Stanton, Member Present (remotely) Councillor Guests Status Cr Helen Crowley Present Cr Belinda Neal Present (remotely) Council Officers Status Luke Nicholls, Director Environment and Planning Present Shannon Turkington," (Meeting heading) SOURCES https://docspublished.com.au/centralcoastcouncil/document/bd7fff91-8f17-4fbf-949b-fc6633601bd2 https://minutesradar.com/news/central-coast-infocouncil-environment-planning-committee-tuesday-3-november-2026-3-nov-2026-5-00-pm-minutes-central-coast-lagoon-plan-may-i-34634e13c7/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.