community services · Central Coast Council
Central Coast committee rejects Koala Park camping proposal and seeks other homelessness sites
A unanimous recommendation will send officers looking for alternative locations after councillors considered short-term tent camping at Koala Park and Woodbury Park in Wyong.
People experiencing homelessness will not be directed to a newly approved camping site after the Central Coast Council Environment & Planning Committee rejected a proposal involving Koala Park and Woodbury Park in Wyong and backed a search for alternatives.
The committee considered asking the land owner for permission to use the former caravan park area at Koala Park for short-term tent camping as a temporary accommodation measure. It also considered the section of Woodbury Park nearest the Council pump station and the toilet for short-term camping.
Cr Smith, seconded by Cr Castles, moved an amendment that the committee simply note the Koala Park report. The amendment was lost on the chairperson’s casting vote, with Cr Walsh, Cr Castles and Cr Smith voting for it and Cr Eaton, Cr Stanton and Deputy Mayor Mouland voting against it.
Deputy Mayor Mouland and Cr Stanton then moved recommendation EPC-26/207. It called for Council to seek alternative locations and continue working with state and federal agencies and support services to find a long-term solution to homelessness in the region.
All six councillors present supported that recommendation: Cr Eaton, Cr Walsh, Cr Castles, Cr Smith, Cr Stanton and Deputy Mayor Mouland.
The resolution did not approve Koala Park or Woodbury Park for camping, select an alternative site or set a timeframe for temporary accommodation. It also did not authorise tent camping at either location.
Council officers will investigate alternative homelessness accommodation locations and continue working with state and federal agencies and support services. No specific replacement site or future return date was identified.
The issue affects people experiencing homelessness, nearby residents, park users and support services across the Central Coast. The committee’s recommendation keeps the search for a temporary location separate from the longer-term work involving government agencies and support services.
Reference minutes
The decision was made by Central Coast Council’s Environment & Planning Committee on 7 July 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Koala Park’s former caravan park area was considered for short-term tent camping.
- The section of Woodbury Park nearest the council pump station and toilet facilities was also considered.
- A motion to simply note the Koala Park report was lost on the chairperson’s casting vote.
- All six councillors present backed a recommendation to seek alternative locations.
- The resolution also calls for continued work with state and federal agencies and support services.
- No specific accommodation site or implementation date was approved.
Why it matters
- No temporary camping site was approved, but Council has directed officers to keep looking for accommodation locations while pursuing a long-term homelessness response.