Central Coast Council placed a Draft Central Coast Local Approvals Policy and Draft Central Coast Outdoor Trading Specification on public exhibition late last year and is reminding of the opportunity to provide feedback by 22 February 2024. 

In addition to online submissions via yourvoiceourcoast.com, Council is running information sessions for local businesses on the proposed Outdoor Trading Specification. 

• In-person: Thursday 8 February, 3.30pm to 5.30pm - Council Administration Building, 2 Hely St, Wyong Function Room 
• In-person: Friday 9 February 2.30pm to 4.30pm - Terrigal Surf Club
• Online: Monday 12 February – 12.30pm to 2.00pm.  Register at yourvoiceourcoast.com/OTS

Council Director Environment and Planning, Alice Howe said the Central Coast is home to a diverse business community who are encouraged to use public places and road reserves for outdoor dining and street vending to stimulate business growth, create vibrant outdoor atmospheres and improve street vitality.

“The Central Coast Outdoor Trading Specification will help to support these objectives and ensure equitable and safe movement for a broad range of people,” Dr Howe said.  

“The Specification sets out requirements for businesses that are seeking approvals from Council for outdoor dining and street vending, and for the installation of associated temporary and fixed structures whilst helping to regulate this function. 

“Council proposes to approve outdoor trading and street vending under a Local Approvals Policy, which is also on exhibition for community feedback.

“The Central Coast Local Approvals Policy will provide guidance to people requiring an approval for an activity under Section 68 of the Local Government Act, sets out the criteria that Council must consider in determining an application for an approval, and specifies circumstances where activities are exempt from requiring Council approval prior to the activity being carried out. 

“The Policy addresses activities such as mobile food vehicles on Council land and road reserves, street vending, activities on community and Council land (e.g. stalls, markets, busking and street theatre, events, use of loudspeakers), placement of waste and clothing bins and transportation of waste, water supply, sewerage and stormwater drainage work, installation of manufactured homes, moveable dwellings and caravans and operation of caravan parks, camping grounds and manufactured home estates.” 

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the Local Approvals Policy and Outdoor Trading Specification will provide clear direction for applicants, reduce the need for a development application and a consistent approach across the Central Coast region.                                  

“Our proposed Local Approvals Policy provides an efficient, consistent, and streamlined process for activities under Section 68 of the Local Government Act. 

“The Outdoor Trading Specification will supersede two existing policies to create a single document that achieves consistent and high-quality outcomes for outdoor vending and outdoor dining, including their ancillary structures across the Central Coast local government area.

“I encourage Central Coast business owners and operators to take the time to review the documents on public exhibition, provide feedback and participate in the engagement opportunities for the Outdoor Trading Specification. 

“This will ensure that Council receives a wide range of feedback and perspectives from local business to consider before the final Central Coast Local Approvals Policy and Outdoor Trading Specification is considered at a future Council meeting.”

For more information and to have your say on the Draft Central Coast Outdoor Trading Specification and Draft Central Coast Local Approvals Policy, go to yourvoiceourcoast.com by 22 February 2024.