Following extensive public consultation, a report outlining a new Plan of Management (POM) for community land will be tabled at the monthly ordinary Council meeting next week. 

Last year, Council resolved to publicly exhibit a draft POM for Council owned community land. The consultation process included a series of independent public hearings were held for the community with sessions held twice at Wyong, as well as The Entrance, Erina and Woy Woy. 

During the exhibition period, Council received more than 340 submissions.  

All of these submissions, along with the outcome from the public hearings, have been carefully considered in developing the updated POM to be considered by Council at its April meeting. Key issues raised in submissions included the management of mountain bikes in natural areas, the categorisation process, accountability, removal of site-specific POMs, the POM preparation process, and specific POM provisions.  

Objections to the category applied to a parcel in the draft POM were received for around 14% of parcels.

Council Director of Environment and Planning Alice Howe said a significant body of work has been undertaken to prepare a POM that will deliver for the community.

 
“Since December last year the existing categorisation of more than 1,800 parcels of land was reviewed and approximately 400 additional parcels were categorised for the first time," Dr Howe said.

"Community land can be categorised for use as natural area, sportsground, park, area of cultural significance and general community use and it can’t be sold. The categorisation process ensures that community land is used in a manner that reflects the community’s interest in it and the capability of the land itself.

“I would like to thank the community for their contributions and passion for this project. If adopted by Council, this new POM will supersede the majority of the current plans, simplifying the process and give clarity to stakeholders in pursuing long-term leases to secure their future,” Dr Howe said.

Learn more about the POM process, as well as the recently released independent public hearing report