Council increases tourism marketing funding

Council is looking to increase its direct funding for tourism marketing for the Central Coast and will seek to engage an organisation to deliver on a three year regional strategy.

See Separate Media Release

Council laying the groundwork for a Central Coast Local Environmental Plan

Work is now underway to prepare one consolidated Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to guide future development across the Central Coast.

Currently there are four planning instruments applying to the Central Coast, each with different planning controls.  The Wyong Local Environmental  Plan 2013 is the local planning instrument for the north and the Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014, Gosford Interim Development Order and Gosford Planning Scheme apply in the southern areas. The proclamation for the amalgamation decreed that these plans remain in place until a new LEP is adopted.

Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the State Government had issued Guidance for Merged Councils on Planning Functions which recommends council analyse the differences in the current planning controls and take steps to prepare a consistent approach to planning across the region.

“We have effectively been given the green light to align the zonings and development controls across the Coast.  This will mean a consistent approach to rezoning proposals,  development assessments and building certification and compliance.  It will also help build a stronger economy and support our community,” Mr Reynolds said.

“This is just confirming a process we have already started as we know a consistent approach to planning will help improve our local environment and encourage investment, create new jobs and quality housing for our community.

“We want to keep appropriate development moving on the Coast.  We are open for business and developers can be assured they can approach council as they always have to seek professional advice.

Since the formation of the Central Coast Council, over 1650 development applications worth more than $460 million to the local economy have been determined.

Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on 10 November 2016 demonstrate that new home building approvals across the Hunter and Central Coast are at an 8 year high.

“It will be some time before there is a new single Local Environmental Plan (LEP) that covers the whole Central Coast as this will take a great deal of consultation and planning – which is why we are starting this process now.” Mr Reynolds added.

“A stand-alone Central Coast LEP will be one of the key decisions of the newly elected Council and we are ensuring they have the tools and information they need to get it right.”

Beachcomber Hotel rezoning will deliver iconic development for the Coast

Council tonight supported a planning proposal to rezone the 1.1 hectare site of the Beachcomber Hotel to permit a mixed use development.

The concept plans provide for tourist apartments, residential apartments and ground floor retail in two main buildings. The main buildings will be deliberately angled to enhance views and solar access for future apartments within the buildings as well as to allow for views through the site from the public domain along Main Road.

Council’s Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said the iconic development would form a gateway to Toukley and be a catalyst for further economic growth and business activity in the area.

“The proposal redevelopment of the Beachcomber Hotel has the potential to further enhance the tourism offerings in this growing part of the Coast, and deliver a much needed boost to local jobs in the area,” Mr Reynolds said.

“The potential to create over 475 jobs during construction and 18 ongoing retail jobs on site.  It will also have a multiplier effect on the wider Toukley area from the increased visitor numbers.

“It will also provide a much needed boost to housing supply in the area as a number of residential apartments is also planned.”

“We are looking for innovative development that will deliver the housing and jobs our growing community need”

“Council’s role is to pave the way for that to happen by supporting this planning proposal.”

“The detail of the design will be revealed once a Development Application is lodged and will be put out on public exhibition for community comment.”

The planning proposal has been subject to a round of community consultation with six submissions received.  The amendment to the Wyong Local Environmental Plan will now be forwarded to the Department of Planning for finalisation.

Infrastructure Plan needed to accommodate population growth on the Coast

The population of the Central Coast is expected to reach over 415,050 people by 2036 and council is rolling out a plan to fast-track key infrastructure projects.

The first step is to seek a meeting with the Minister for Planning to discuss the need for an Infrastructure Plan for the region following the release of the Central Coast Regional Plan (CCRP).

With 41,500 more homes needed to accommodate 75,500 more people, the Infrastructure Plan is a crucial component of the CCRP.

It will help accelerate provision of much-needed infrastructure with council now moving to create a project plan to roll out priority projects, identified in the CCRP, including the North and South Regional Corridor Housing Policy to ensure they meet the Plan’s two-year timeframe.

Creating more jobs is also a priority, with nearly 25,500 more jobs required to service the expanded population, which will be more than the population of Canberra today.

Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the Central Coast was the ninth largest region in Australia and the significant increase in population required a proactive approach in terms of infrastructure planning.

“We need to accommodate a lot more people here over the next twenty years and the only way we can do that is by creating more housing options and more local jobs, supported by more infrastructure so our growing community can continue to live and thrive here,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Delivering a sustainable future for the Central Coast will require ongoing adequate funding of projects by the State and Federal Government as well as council.”

“That is why we are calling for a meeting directly with the Minister of Planning to get the State Government on board with our infrastructure plan for the region.

“Now our region is serviced by one council, we are now in the best position to deliver the right projects and plans to move the Coast forward.”

Nine priority actions have been identified in the Implementation Plan for the CCRP including:

• Establish the Northern and Southern Growth corridors as key locations for economic development, residential growth, investment in health, education, research, knowledge-based industries, professional services, sport and leisure, agribusiness, food manufacturing, high-tech manufacturing and clean technologies;
• Monitor land and housing supply through an urban development program;
• Prepare a sequencing plan for the release of land in growth corridors;
• Use the Employment Land Development Monitor to track the supply of employment land and infrastructure servicing;
• Update North Wyong Shire Structure Plan to include outcomes of recent assessment;
• Review development contributions in the North Wyong Shire, incorporating Special Infrastructure Contribution Plans for the Wyong Employment Zone and Warnervale Town Centre; and
• Address land use needs west of the M1 Pacific Motorway to provide integrated and adaptable outcomes for natural assets, productive lands and rural lifestyles.

Council will present the project plan to the Minister for Planning to help implement the priority actions of the Central Coast Regional Plan.

State of former Wyong Shire Council finances bode well for Central Coast Council

The former Wyong Shire Council finances were presented to council tonight, highlighting a $26.7 million surplus for the 2015-16 financial year.

Council Administrator Mr Ian Reynold said that while the report highlights a healthy surplus it needs to be kept in perspective in light of the cut-off date for the merger.

“The financial year for the former Wyong Council was cut off on May 12 so it effectively means 12 months of revenue were matched with 10 and a half months of expenses,” Mr Reynolds said.

“That should not take away though from the great work Wyong Council did to get their finances in order to be able to deliver valuable services to residents.

“That work has continued in the new council and will hold us in good stead for when the finances come together in time for the start of the next financial year.”

As part of the amalgamation process, council was directed by the State Government, to put out a tender for one audit firm to look at the finances of both councils.

Price Waterhouse Coopers were awarded the tender. As they were familiar with Wyong Council’s books (they have been their previous external accountant) they processed them more quickly and have asked for more time to work through the former Gosford City Council finances.