Council’s Q4 DA approvals valued at over $241million

Council’s Quarter 4 report into the activities of the Development Assessment and Environment and Certification Units reveals the total estimated value of approved development in the quarter at over $241million.

In the April to June 2018 quarter 883 development applications were determined including 353 additional residential lots and 492 dwellings including secondary dwellings, detached dwellings, dual-occupancies, multi dwelling housing and units within residential flat buildings.

Mayor Jane Smith said these results follow similar figures reported for the previous quarter where $242million of development was approved and showed that the Coast was continuing to grow with over $1.1billion worth of development approved in 2017-2018.

“Council is committed to enabling development that provides a variety of housing to suit the needs and lifestyles of the community,” Mayor Smith said.

“The community have told us through the Community Strategic Plan that they want balanced and sustainable development which means ensuring land use planning and development is sustainable and environmentally sound.

“We know that by 2036 the region will require 41,500 new homes, an average of 2075 new homes per year over the 20 years life span of the plan,” Mayor Smith said.

“So far, Council has approved 7,179 additional dwellings and is tracking well against future housing requirements outlined in the Central Coast Regional Plan.

Council has also reduced the average number of calendar days (net) taken to determine a development application from 50 in 2016-17 to 39 in 2017-18, a decrease of 20 percent.

The approvals valued at over $241million span residential, commercial, retail, office, tourist, community, industrial and infrastructure developments.

“Council is committed to growing the Central Coast through appropriate development that is supported by residents and maintains the Coastal lifestyle we enjoy and value.”

Council to award $1.78million in community grants and sponsorships

Council will provide up to $1.78million in grants and sponsorship for community events, activities and projects during 2018-19.

This is an increase of $300,000 on last year’s budget and means even more high-quality projects will receive Council support this year.

Council voted to increase the funding following a review of the coast-wide program which began last year.

The external review found the Central Coast’s program was comprehensive when compared to similar local government areas, and received overall positive feedback from community members.

However, it recommended the following changes:
• Simplified program structure and information about available funding
• Greater efficiency and streamlining of the administrative and assessment process
• Improved communication about applications and assessment decisions
• Alignment with, and achievement of, the program aims and the One – Central Coast Community Strategic Plan.

As a result, the names, funding and eligibility criteria have changed in several categories within the grants and sponsorship program. These changes will provide applicants with greater clarity about each program and will also make provision for funding for smaller regional initiatives which provide economic benefits to the Coast.

Applications for grants and sponsorship funds will open in September.

Council also agreed to review the relevant policies and guide regarding community grants to include reference to Council’s sustainable events policy and guide.

Additional $15.7million approved for capital works projects

Council has increased its total capital budget for 2018-19 to $215.6million after an additional $15.7million was approved for capital works projects.

An additional $14.8million will be used for projects rolling-over from 2017-18 and $926,650 will be used for externally grant funded projects for delivery via the NSW Government Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Council invested over $170million in capital works projects across the Central Coast in the 2017-18 financial year including over $78million for Roads, Transport and Drainage projects.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council completed a significant capital works program in 2017-18 and had an even larger program scheduled for the current financial year.

“The investment Council has made in our region through capital works projects completed in 2017-18 is to be commended,” Mayor Smith said.

“This budget adjustment will see some projects rolling-over from 2017-18 completed this financial year.

“It is also welcome news to have additional grant funding confirmed for $926,650 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund to deliver significant improvements to community facilities across the Central Coast.”

Council will use $14.8million for a range of projects including:
• Upgrade Peninsular Leisure Centre air handling system – $2.5million
• Upgrade drainage and road reconstruction Lake Road, Tuggerah – $2.4million
• Water Mains Renewal Program – $1.7million
• Upgrade Railway Street Sewer Pump Station – $865,663
• Upgrade amenities and carpark Austin Butler Oval, Woy Woy – $800,000

Council will use $926,650 from the NSW Government Stronger Country Communities Fund to deliver:
• Upgrade of Terrigal Rotary Hall – $229,350
• Upgrade air conditioning at community facilities – $128,000
• Replacement of public toilets at North Entrance beach – $260,000
• Installation of playgrounds at community facilities – $309,300

Council adopts revised fees and charges

Council has adopted further and amended fees and charges relating to the Gosford Smart Work Hub, purchase of niches at Memorial walls at cemeteries, ground anchors in road reserves and bulk bin configurations.

On 25 June Council adopted the 2018-19 Operational Plan, which also included fees and charges for the year. At that meeting it was resolved these particular fees and charges needed public consultation.

Mayor Jane Smith said in the interests of openness and transparency and being responsible to the community Council needs to adopt these fees.

“There were two new fees and one amended fee proposed, which we benchmarked against other Councils, and we needed to correct a minor error in one fee so they were re-exhibited,” Mayor Smith said.

“Council is committed to serving our community by providing great customer experience, value for money and quality services, and charging the right fees is part of that.”

No submissions were received during the 28 day exhibition period and the fees have now been formally adopted in the 2018-19 Operational Plan.

Council calls for greater consultation on draft Gosford DCP

Council has called on the Department of Planning and Environment to extend the public consultation period on the draft Gosford Development Control Plan (DCP) and hold two community consultation workshops.

Mayor Jane Smith said the Gosford DCP is going to have a significant impact on the Gosford City Centre including the potential to increase overshadowing of public spaces and change the car parking requirements

“The draft Gosford DCP will impact the commercial centre of Gosford, not only for the next few years, but for decades to come as it will determine the type of development that is allowed in the CBD area,” Mayor Smith said.

“At this point in time, the consultation closes on 13 September and Council does not believe that is enough time for the community to provide feedback on the plan.

“There needs to be genuine and comprehensive community consultation on this matter to make sure we get it right for the community of today and future generations who will call Gosford home.

“My understanding is that the Department of Planning and Environment were going to engage with the community on the draft DCP including an information session on the draft plan within Gosford for land owners, businesses and the community, but as yet, there are no dates and time is ticking by for the community to make a submission.

“Council would also welcome a formal briefing from the Department on the Draft Gosford DCP so Councillors have the opportunity to put their questions and concerns directly to the decision makers.

“The future of Gosford is at stake and the community need to have their say,” Mayor Smith said.

Council investigates options for Gwandalan Play space

Council is listening to community concerns around plans for a Gwandalan subdivision, which do not support the provision of a play space or community open space.

Council have commenced investigations into options for the provision of a playground in the vicinity of the subdivision and have recently met with the local community in conjunction with the local resident group GASPPIG (Gwandalan and Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group) to discuss options.

Further community consultation will be undertaken this year after consideration of the detailed report that will be presented to Council on 24 September.

Council is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle for a growing community and providing facilities, such as play spaces, for this region.

Council supports Strategic Biodiversity Certification Project

Council will provide in principle support and participate in the Department of Planning and Environment’s proposed Strategic Biodiversity Certification Project, designed to ensure housing and employment growth supports the State’s economic prosperity and achieves environmental sustainability.

Under this process, biodiversity impacts of future development are assessed in a landscape scale and offset early in the planning process. Once land is subject to Biodiversity Certification, the need for completing further biodiversity impact assessment is removed.

Biodiversity Certification is a mechanism that integrates planning for biodiversity conservation with planning for intensification of land use to support housing or employment.

Mayor Jane Smith said the community had identified the need to protect our rich environmental heritage and promote the greening and the well-being of communities through the protection of local bushland and urban trees in the Community Strategic Plan.

“A Strategic Biodiversity Certification process that enables key greenfield housing and development zones that are identified in Council’s Strategic Plans to be developed should be encouraged,” Mayor Smith said.

“However, the process must ensure that the establishment of biodiversity offsets occurs on land within the Central Coast Region and integrates with lands in Council’s Biodiversity Investment Plan.

“Council will work closely with the Department of Planning and Environment on this really important issue and ensure we get the best outcome for our community and deliver on our commitment to preserve environmental resources for the future.”

Council has requested the CEO provide an initial briefing on the project followed by quarterly reports.

Council requests report on pollution risk

Council has requested a report on the risk and management of per-and-poly-fluoroalky substances (PFAS), ash dams and air pollution on the Central Coast.

The report will include current knowledge and status of existing or potential impacts of these pollutants, current monitoring activities undertaken, and current responsibilities and management actions of relevant agencies.

The report will also provide recommendations regarding Council’s role, if any, in monitoring and management of risks from these pollutants.

Council will review organisational structure and arts and cultural precinct for Gosford CBD

Council will review its organisational structure, and detailed designs for an arts and cultural precinct in the Gosford CBD, at the Council Meeting to be held on Monday 10 September 2018.

Council has received two briefings on the review of Council’s organisational structure and the CEO will provide a detailed report on that review to this meeting.

Council resolved on 28 May 2018 that a detailed design be prepared and presented on a
Regional Library and Regional Performing Arts and Conference Centre for Gosford, and this will also be considered at the 10 September meeting.

Council to receive report on parking fines for the Central Coast

Council will receive a report outlining options for a discretionary reduction in parking fines on the Central Coast.

The report will be developed following the adoption of State Government legislation to reduce the minimum penalty for parking in places longer than the permitted timeframes from $110 to $80 from 1 July 2018.

A ‘grace period’ period before a fine is handed out is also specified in the State Government decision.

Council to consider options to support drought-affected farmers

Council has requested the CEO provide a report on the options, initiatives and general support Council can provide to NSW farming communities in the wake of the State-wide drought, as well as providing options for the Central Coast community to provide support.

Prior to the report, Council will outline various organisations that Central Coast residents can contact in order to provide support to NSW farmers including:

• Australian Red Cross
• Rural Aid/ Buy a Bale
• Drought Angels
• Aussie Helpers
• Lions Need for Feed
• Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
• Salvation Army