A number of key development applications have been approved by Central Coast Council bringing the number determined since amalgamation, including section 96 applications, to over 3000, worth over $1 billion to the local economy.

Council has approved a redesign of the Bonython Tower on Mann Street Gosford, which will create a residential tower and ground floor commercial space right in the heart of the CBD – injecting $17.6 million into the local economy.

More housing options are also on the way close to the CBD with the approvals for additional residential units in Gosford, West Gosford, and Point Frederick.

New housing opportunities will also be available close to one of the Coast’s greatest attractions – the beaches – with residential unit developments approved for Umina Beach, Canton Beach and more to come.

The Central Coast also remains the ideal place to build the family dream home with 914 additional lots created since the merger.

Council Group Leader Environment and Planning, Mr Scott Cox, said Council’s role was to ensure it had the right planning controls in place to continue to grow and encourage sustainable development on the Central Coast.

“We have a huge challenge to meet the housing and employment needs of our growing community while maintaining the enviable lifestyle and environment we all enjoy here,” Mr Cox said.

“We are in the process of consolidating our planning controls so there is consistency across the Coast as we want to ensure we can facilitate the right development we want to see here.

“The growth in housing, particularly unit style development needs to be where transport connections and opportunities are – in our town centres and tourism hubs and we want to encourage development there.

“The mix needs to be right in delivering a range of housing options to match various household needs but also ensuring the unique environment on the Coast is enhanced and protected.”

Council is currently undertaking a Strategic Lands Biocertification Project in Warnervale. This project has the dual benefit of facilitating development on much needed employment lands while protecting high value environmental habitat lands.

The strategy will identify areas of high value vegetation and habitat for permanent protection and the areas that will deliver the best employment generating development.

An appropriate development footprint will be established for land in the area so potential developers and landowners know up front where development will be allowed.

As Council itself is a major land holder in the area, it will be able to ensure that significant environmental offset land is secure, protected and managed effectively.

The proposal will require the approval of the NSW Minister for the Environment who will need to be satisfied the conservation measures result in an overall improvement in biodiversity values.

Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said that as the Warnervale area was basically a greenfield site, it provided a great opportunity for Council to get the controls right from the start to ensure Council can balance the need to create more jobs and housing while also protecting the environment.

“Areas identified in this process as being of high value vegetation and habitat will be protected in perpetuity,” Mr Reynolds said.

“We are streamlining the development process so potential land purchasers and developers will know up front where they can develop and will ensure we get the right development in the right place that delivers the jobs and opportunities our growing community need.”

Council held its first ever Developers Forum on Monday 27 February with over 140 industry leaders in attendance to start the conversation as to how Council and the development sector can work together to deliver sustainable development for the Central Coast.