Housing & planning · Central Coast Council
Residents may get fewer chances to comment on residential applications, committee warns
Central Coast’s Environment and Planning Committee voted 7-0 to recommend that Council write to the relevant State Minister about reduced exhibition and notification requirements.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
Residents affected by development applications for most residential land uses may have fewer opportunities to see or comment on proposals, according to a warning recorded by Central Coast Council’s Environment and Planning Committee.
The committee voted 7-0 on 3 November to recommend that Council write to the relevant State Minister about the removal and reduction of public exhibition requirements and notifications for local development applications. The resolution concerned the State Community Participation Plan.
The motion also recommended that Council receive and note the information in the report. It was carried with Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Cr Sharon Walsh, Cr Margot Castles, Cr Jane Smith, Cr John Mouland, Deputy Mayor Rachel Stanton and Mayor John McNamara recorded in favour, with no votes against.
The minutes do not identify the minister, specify which applications are covered beyond most residential land uses, or give a date for any changes or correspondence. They record a committee recommendation to Council, not a final full-Council decision or a response from the State Government.
What deserves a closer look
The resolution records a recommendation to Council rather than an action by the full Council.
The source identifies the affected group only as local development applications for most residential land uses. It does not identify the minister, the precise application types, the timing of any changes or the timing of correspondence.
The possible effect on residents is conditional because the minutes do not specify how the reported reductions would apply to individual applications.
Questions for follow-up reporting
Will Council adopt the committee's recommendation and send the proposed letter?
Which residential development applications are covered by the reported reductions in exhibition and notification requirements?
When do the reported changes apply, and would the relevant State Minister respond if Council sends the proposed letter?
What happens next
If Council adopts the recommendation, it would be asked to write to the relevant State Minister outlining concerns about the removal and reduction of public exhibition requirements and notifications for local development applications for most residential land uses. The supplied minutes do not establish that Council has adopted the recommendation or sent a letter.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
The meeting was Central Coast Council's Environment and Planning Committee meeting 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
Open original minutes ↗The committee carried a recommendation that Council receive and note the report, note with concern the removal and reduction of public exhibition requirements and notifications for local development applications for most residential land uses, and write to the relevant State Minister outlining those concerns.
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. Receives and notes the information in this report. b. Notes with concern the removal and reduction of public exhibition requirements and notifications for local development applications for most residential land uses and writes to the relevant State Minister outlining these concerns. Central Coast Council Environment & Planning Committee Minutes 3 November 2026 Page 9 OFFICIAL CARRIED FOR: Cr Eaton OAM, Cr Walsh, Cr Castles, Cr Smith, Cr Mouland, Deputy Mayor Stanton and Mayor McNamara AGAINST: Nil 4.2 Draft Mobile Food Vending on Community Land Local Approvals Policy - Public Exhibition 6:21pm Unit Manager of City Strategy and Major Projects spoke to the 'Draft Mobile Food Vending on Community Land Local Approvals Policy - Public Exhibition' presentation.
Item 4.1, State Community Participation Plan — EPC-26/263 and its vote result
Open original minutes ↗The motion was recorded as carried, with seven councillors listed in favour and none against.
Central Coast Council Environment & Planning Committee Minutes 3 November 2026 Page 9 OFFICIAL CARRIED FOR: Cr Eaton OAM, Cr Walsh, Cr Castles, Cr Smith, Cr Mouland, Deputy Mayor Stanton and Mayor McNamara AGAINST: Nil 4.2 Draft Mobile Food Vending on Community Land Local Approvals Policy - Public Exhibition 6:21pm Unit Manager of City Strategy and Major Projects spoke to the 'Draft Mobile Food Vending on Community Land Local Approvals Policy - Public Exhibition' presentation.
EPC-26/263 vote result, immediately before the Item 4.2 heading
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the supplied minutes of Central Coast Council’s Environment & Planning Committee meeting held on 3 November 2026. The supplied record does not establish whether these minutes have been confirmed.
Key facts from the minutes
- The Environment and Planning Committee considered the State Community Participation Plan on 3 November 2026.
- The committee’s recommendation cites the removal and reduction of public exhibition requirements and notifications for local development applications for most residential land uses.
- The committee recommended that Council write to the relevant State Minister outlining its concerns.
- The motion was carried, with the minutes listing seven councillors for and none against.
- The record shows a committee recommendation, not a final full-Council decision or a response from the State Government.
Why it matters
- If the reported reductions apply to a residential proposal affecting them, residents may receive less notice or have fewer opportunities to comment. The minutes do not specify the affected application types or when the changes apply.