Point Clare telecoms facility approved with building-height variation

A telecommunications facility can proceed at 184 Brisbane Water Drive, Point Clare, after the Local Planning Panel unanimously approved Development Application DA/1618/2025 with a variation to the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 building-height standard.

The panel approved the application under section 4.16(1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, subject to draft conditions attached to the report. It also agreed to vary Clause 4.3, Height of Buildings, under Clause 4.6, Exceptions to Development Standards.

The panel found the Clause 4.6 request demonstrated sufficient environmental planning grounds to justify contravening the height standard. It found compliance with the standard was unnecessary and unreasonable in the circumstances of the case.

The site is in the RE1 Public Recreation zone. The panel found the proposal permissible and consistent with the zone’s objectives, and satisfactory against relevant planning instruments and policies. These included State Environmental Planning Policy provisions covering resilience and hazards, industry and employment, and transport and infrastructure.

The assessment found the facility would be compatible with flood function and behaviour on the land. It also found it would not adversely affect flood behaviour in a way that increased the potential flood impact on other properties or development. Essential services were available to the site.

The panel said likely impacts on surrounding properties, including submissions, had been addressed in Central Coast Council’s assessment and were acceptable. It found the site suitable, and the proposal in the public interest. The vote was unanimous, 4 - 0.

Objectors are to be notified of the decision. A separate telecommunications facility at 225 Main Road, Toukley, was also approved with a variation to the same building-height standard. The next Local Planning Panel meeting is scheduled for 20 August 2026.