Central Coast burning rules change after councillors reject resident education plan

Residents who burn vegetation across the Central Coast local government area will be covered by revised open pile burning rules after Central Coast Council repealed its September 2020 policy. Councillors rejected a proposed community education and communication program by eight votes to six.

The amendment, moved by Cr Corinne Lamont and seconded by Cr Sharon Walsh, would have added a program to inform residents about changes introduced by the revised policy. It also proposed noting information about air-quality impacts from wood-fire burning.

Cr Kyle MacGregor, Cr Margot Castles, Cr Helen Crowley, Cr Walsh, Cr Belinda Neal and Cr Lamont voted for the amendment. Acting Mayor John Mouland and Cr Kyla Daniels, Cr Jane Smith, Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Cr Rachel Stanton, Cr Jared Wright, Cr John McNamara and Cr Trent McWaide voted against it. Cr Lawrie McKinna was absent.

The amendment was lost, and the original motion was put to a vote. Moved by Cr Neal and seconded by Cr Stanton, it passed 11 votes to three.

Cr MacGregor, Cr Smith and Cr Lamont voted against adopting the revised policy. Acting Mayor Mouland, Cr Daniels, Cr Castles, Cr Crowley, Cr Walsh, Cr Neal, Cr Eaton OAM, Cr Stanton, Cr Wright, Cr McNamara and Cr McWaide voted for it. Cr McKinna was absent.

Resolution C-26/1055 adopts the Draft Open Pile Burning Policy and repeals the former policy adopted in September 2020. The adopted resolution does not include the proposed additional education and communication program.

The revised policy affects residents who burn vegetation and neighbours concerned about smoke and air quality. The council’s decision did not include a separate implementation date or detailed changes to burning requirements.

The policy was considered during Environment and Planning Committee business at the ordinary council meeting on 29 June 2026.