Central
Coast Council
Ordinary Council Meeting
Held in the Council Chamber
2 Hely Street, Wyong
25 March 2025
MINUTES
Present
Mayor Lawrie McKinna
Deputy Mayor Doug Eaton OAM
Councillor Margot Castles
Councillor Helen Crowley
Councillor Kyla Daniels
Councillor Corinne Lamont
Councillor Kyle MacGregor
Councillor John McNamara
Councillor Trent McWaide
Councillor John Mouland
Councillor Belinda Neal
Councillor Jane Smith
Councillor Rachel Stanton
Councillor Sharon Walsh
Councillor Jared Wright
In Attendance
David Farmer Chief Executive Officer
Boris Bolgoff Director Infrastructure Services
Danielle Hargreaves Acting Director Water and Sewer
Jamie Loader Director Environment and Planning
Marissa Racomelara Director Corporate Services
Melanie Smith Director Community and Recreation Services
Notes
Mayor Lawrie McKinna declared the meeting open at 6:33pm and advised in accordance with the Code of Meeting Practice that the meeting was being recorded.
The Mayor read an Acknowledgment of Country.
Procedural Items
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6:33 pm
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Mayor McKinna disclosed a non-pecuniary, non-significant interest on item 4.1 - Rescission Motion- Entry into aviation services lease for a helicopter hub over part of Central Coast Airport (Warnervale), as when he was chair of the RDA, he signed a letter of support for this initiative to support the development of the airport. He will remain in the chamber during discussion and voting on this item.
Councillor Crowley disclosed a non-pecuniary, non-significant interest on item 4.1 - Rescission Motion- Entry into aviation services lease for a helicopter hub over part of Central Coast Airport (Warnervale), as her brother flies in and out of Warnervale Airport on occasions for recreational enjoyment. She will remain in the chamber during discussion and voting on this item. |
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6:35 pm
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A Motion to move the Recommendation was MOVED by Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and SECONDED by Councillor Wright:
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That Council:
1 Confirms the minutes of the
Ordinary Meeting of Council held on
2 Confirms the minutes of the
Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Smith and SECONDED by Councillor Eaton OAM:
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That: a) for future Council meetings, the text of the draft minutes to be adopted be included in the body of the Agenda paper (i.e. not as a link and not in the attachments). b) for future Council Standing Committee meetings, the text of the draft minutes to be adopted be included in the body of the Attachments to the Business paper (i.e. not as a link).
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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6:38 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and SECONDED by Councillor Wright:
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That Council determines the following items on Council’s Agenda will be adopted without debate: · 3.6 - Gosford Regional Library Project Status Update · 3.8 - Economic Development Committee - Minutes February 2025 · 3.13 - Administrator and Councillor Expenses and Facilities Report - 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024 · 3.14 - Community Support Grant Program January 2025
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
Mayoral Minutes
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6:44 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Mayor McKinna:
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That Council: 1
Supports the national federal election funding priorities
identified by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA); 2
Supports and participates in the ‘Put Our Communities
First’ federal election campaign via Council’s website and social
media channels; and 3 Writes to the local federal member(s) of Parliament, all known election candidates in local federal electorates and the President of the Australian Local Government Association expressing support for ALGA’s federal election funding priorities. |
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
6.48 pm
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A PROCEDURAL Motion was MOVED by Councillor MacGregor and SECONDED by Mouland:
That Council bring forward Items 5.1, 5.3, and 5.4 to be considered now.
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
Reports
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7:50 pm
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A Motion to move the Recommendation was MOVED by Councillor Wright and SECONDED by Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM:
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That Council:
1 Receives and notes the Monthly Financial Report – February 2025
2 Authorises the 2024-25 Operational Plan be updated to include the following capital projects: a) Embankment Stabilisation - Tapley Road b) Embankment Stabilisation - Coorara Road c) Drainage Renewal Program - Various Locations d) Heavy Patch Program - Various Roads e) Water and Sewer Legislated Security Upgrades - Various Locations f) Sewer Reactive and Program Planning - Various Locations g) Water Reactive and Program Planning - Various Locations h) Digital Video and Photography Equipment Renewal i) IT Infrastructure Disaster Recovery and Resilience j) Sewage Treatment Plant Road Renewal - Mannering Park and Woy Woy k) Water Main Extensions and Renewal Program l) Water Reticulation Critical Plant Equipment Renewals m) Water Main Relocation Program - Infrastructure Upgrades
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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8:05 pm
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A Motion to move the Recommendation was MOVED by Councillor Wright and SECONDED by Councillor Mouland:
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That Council:
1 Notes the Investment Report for February 2025.
2 Notes that the February 2025 unrestricted funds deficit in the Drainage Fund is offset by the unrestricted funds available in the General Fund.
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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8:06 pm
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A Motion to move the Recommendation was MOVED by Councillor Neal and SECONDED by Councillor McNamara:
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That Council:
1 Notes the legislative changes in the Water Management Amendment (Central Coast Council) Bill 2024 which effectively prevents Council from levying a stormwater drainage charge under the Water Management Act beyond 30 June 2026.
2 Seeks the Minister for Local Government use their power under Section 506 of the Local Government Act 1993 to vary Council’s general income by an amount sufficient to enable Council to levy a drainage charge (of an equivalent amount to the Council’s current stormwater drainage charge) under the Local Government Act 1993.
3 Noting that there is no intent to raise additional income from residents (apart from the annual rate cap indexation) as a result of this proposed change.
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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8:16 pm
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A Motion to move the Recommendation was MOVED by Councillor Mouland and SECONDED by Councillor Neal:
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That Council:
1 Notes that the current planned level of capital investment for road renewal projects meets the forecast depreciation for road segment assets over the next ten years.
2 Endorses the inclusion of an additional $20 million in Council funding to support an increase in Council’s planned capital Road Renewal Program over the next four years with the budget to be added to the Delivery Program and 2025-26 Operational Plan prior to public exhibition.
3 Endorses ongoing advocacy for grant funding to support a further expansion of the Road Renewal Program and ensure the long-term sustainability of Council’s road network.
4 Endorses the publication of the draft interactive 10 Year Road Renewal Program map to internal stakeholders and Councillors effective immediately.
5 Endorses the publication of the new interactive 10 Year Road Renewal Program website map to the community subject to and following adoption of the final Delivery Program and 2025-26 Operational Plan.
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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3.5 Strategic Property Acquisition - Coastal Open Space - 2 Toomeys Road, Mount Elliot - LOT 232 DP 755227 |
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8:24 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Eaton OAM and SECONDED by Councillor Mouland:
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That Council not acquire the property at 2 Toomeys Road, Mount Elliot - LOT 232 DP 755227.
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FOR: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT, McNamara and McWaide AGAINST: Crs MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith and Lamont The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED |
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RESOLVED by exception on the motion of Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and seconded by Councillor Wright:
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That Council notes the progress on the Gosford Regional Library outlined in this report.
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8:39 pm
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A Motion to move the Recommendation was MOVED by Councillor Eaton OAM and SECONDED by Councillor McWaide:
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That Council receives and notes the minutes of the meeting held by the ‘Review Committee – Current Library Building’ on 27 February 2025, and considers the recommendations made by the Committee: a) That Council endorses to undertake Community Engagement regarding the future of Gosford Library. b) That Council allocates $12,000 to conduct community consultation on the existing Gosford Library building. c) Supports the committee to reconvene after the conclusion of community consultation to review feedback and discuss potential next steps.
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FOR: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT, McNamara and McWaide AGAINST: Cr Lamont The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED |
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RESOLVED by exception on the motion of Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and seconded by Councillor Wright:
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That Council receives and notes the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting held in March 2025. |
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8:45 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Neal and SECONDED by Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM:
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1 That Council determines to hold Ordinary Meetings of Council at the Wyong Administration Centre, or the Gosford Regional Library, at 6.30pm, on the following dates: · 22 July 2025 · 26 August 2025 · 23 September 2025 · 28 October 2025 · 25 November 2025 · 9 December 2025
2 That at least 3 of the meetings be conducted at Gosford Regional Library
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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8:53 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Neal and SECONDED by Councillor Mouland:
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That Council:
1 Endorses the draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy at Attachment 1 and place it on exhibition for 28 days.
2 Notes that a further report will be presented to Council at the end of the exhibition period to consider any submissions received prior to adoption.
3 Alters clause 7.27 of the draft policy, prior to public exhibition, to read as follows: “During their term of office, Council will set aside $13,000 per Councillor for course fees to complete the Company Directors Course offered by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Councillors who have previously completed this course may undertake a refresher course or an accredited course of equivalent rigour developed specifically for, or which enhances the skills of local government councillors”.
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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8:57 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Smith and SECONDED by Councillor Neal:
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That Council: 1 Endorses the proposed improvements to engagement planning and activities based on community feedback received during the public exhibition of the draft Community Engagement Strategy excluding the Community Participation Plan 2024-28 as per Attachment 1. 2 Adopts the draft Community Engagement Strategy excluding the Community Participation Plan 2024-28 as per Attachment 2 with the following corrections: · Correction to page 93 – (Councillors for Gosford East Ward, not Gosford West) · Correction to the content page to read “Message from the Councillors” 3 Refer the draft Community Participation Plan to the Environment & Planning Standing Committee for discussion, and exhibit separately the draft CPP (including no. submissions for policy) as part of the Place based workshops to occur before June 2025 4 Ensures that all future Council policies and strategies (draft and final versions) are accompanied by a simple version of the document – i.e.. without any unnecessary graphics or images that do not convey relevant information (i.e.. would be predominately text based but well formatted).
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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9:05 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Smith and SECONDED by Councillor Lamont:
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That Council notes that Council will be referring the submissions policy to Environment and Planning Committee to then go on exhibition with the community participation plan.
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An Amendment was MOVED by Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and SECONDED by Councillor McNamara:
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That Council:
1 Endorses the draft Development Application Submissions Policy to be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.
2 Requests that the CEO, following public exhibition and consultation with the Secretary of the Department, report back to Council the outcomes of the exhibition and consultation process, and present the final version of the Policy for adoption.
3 Requests that the CEO, following adoption by Council, provide the Development Application Submissions Policy to the Secretary of the Department of Planning Housing & Infrastructure for approval.
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FOR: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT, McNamara and McWaide AGAINST: Crs MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith and Lamont The Amendment was put to the vote, declared CARRIED, and became the Motion
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The Motion MOVED by Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and SECONDED by Councillor McNamara: was put to the vote.
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FOR: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT, McNamara and McWaide AGAINST: Crs MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith and Lamont
The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED |
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RESOLVED by exception on the motion of Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and seconded by Councillor Wright:
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That Council notes the Administrator and Councillors Expenses and Facilities Report for the period from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024. |
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RESOLVED by exception on the motion of Deputy Mayor EATON and SECONDED by Councillor Wright:
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That Council:
1 Allocates $18,926.41 (inclusive of GST where applicable) from the 2024-25 grants budget to the Community Support Grant program for the month of January as outlined below and in (Attachment 1).
a) Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade - Firefighting & Support Equipment - $4,963.17 b) Brisbane Water Paddlers Incorporated - Council Fee Relief - $342.65 c) Rotary Club of Erina Incorporated - Central Coast 2025 Heat of Australian National Busking Championship - $4,978.44 d) East Gosford Community Garden Incorporated - Community Garden Safety, Maintenance, and Inclusiveness - $3,700.00 e) Toukley Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated -2025 Reconciliation Week Event - $2,900.00 f) Tuggerah Lakes Art Society Incorporated - 2025 Women in Art Exhibition - $2,042.15
2 Declines the following applications, for the reasons indicated in Attachment 1:
a) Dooralong Rural Fire Brigade – Brigade Lockers - Insufficient information provided to make an accurate assessment. b) Narara Eco Living Network Incorporated - Insufficient information provided to make an accurate assessment. c) Lucy Grech - Sweet Honey - Building hives - applicant is ineligible.
3 Advises the unsuccessful applicants in point 2 (above) and direct them to alternate funding sources if relevant.
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Rescission Motions
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9:32 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Lamont and Seconded by Councillor MACGREGOR :
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That the following resolution carried at the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 26 November 2024 be rescinded:
463/24 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, as a matter of urgency, to negotiate, finalise and execute an aviation services lease for a helicopter hub over part of Central Coast Airport at Warnervale with parties represented by Nighthawks Aviation (ABN 15 634 085 68).
464/24 Requests the Chief Executive Officer to provide a further report to Council in the event that a suitable lease cannot be finalised for any reason.
465/24 At least 15 days prior to the Chief Executive Officer executing any lease, he provides a copy of such lease to the Council, and a summary due diligence report.
FOR: Crs MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith and Lamont AGAINST: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT, McNamara and McWaide The Motion was put to the vote and declared LOST |
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9:42 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Lamont and Seconded by Councillor CASTLES:
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That Council:
1 Removes the current restriction that limits Councillors to submitting only one Notice of Motion (NoM) per meeting.
2 Implements a process whereby: a) If the number of NoMs submitted exceeds 15, the first NoM submitted by each Councillor will be accepted on to the Business paper b) Thereafter, NoMs will be accepted for the Business paper based on a first submitted basis until the cap of 15 is reached. c) Any excluded NoMs may be resubmitted at subsequent Council meetings.
3 Requests that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) update Council’s governance procedures accordingly to reflect these changes and report back on the implementation process if required.
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Councillor Wright left the meeting at 9:46 pm, AND AS A RESULT, TOOK NO PART IN VOTING on this item.
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FOR: Crs MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith and Lamont AGAINST: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, Eaton OAM, Stanton, McNamara and McWaide The Amendment was put to the vote and declared LOST on the casting vote of the Mayor |
Notices of Motion
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6:49 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Walsh and SECONDED by Councillor Wright:
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That Council provides a comprehensive report to the June ordinary Council meeting outlining the following:
1 The total amount of transferred funds from the previous Davistown Wetlands Acquisition fund to the Central Coast Conservation Fund, to be used specifically for the publicly owned Davistown Wetlands.
2 Identify what works have been undertaken since July 2024, when the restricted funds held in the DWAF were combined into the CCCF.
3 A costed scope of works required to address the immediate repair and restoration of the publicly owned wetlands in Davistown.
4 A scope of works for the ongoing care of the publicly owned Davistown Wetlands, including options to ensure broad community consultation including with the DPA Wetlands subcommittee.
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FOR: UNANIMOUS CARRIED |
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9:48 pm
Councillor Wright returned to the meeting at 9:49 pm DURING CONSIDERATION OF THIS ITEM |
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor NEAL and Seconded by Councillor SMITH:
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1 That the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, Central Coast Green Grid: Our Place and Central Coast Climate Change Policy be reviewed to ensure all actions are progressing including 1d and 3c. The review of these documents is not included in Council's Operational Plan and accordingly this motion is necessary.
2 Further, that Councillors be advised at the Environment and Planning Committee meeting, the period required for this work to be undertaken. |
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FOR: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT , McNamara and McWaide AGAINST: LAMONT The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED |
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6:59 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Stanton and SECONDED by Councillor Wright:
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1 That Council establishes a Dredging and Water Management Advisory Panel that will report to the Environment and Planning Committee. 2 The Panel is to provide advice and recommendations (where appropriate) on all matters involving dredging on the Central Coast and the management of waterways within the local government area, and will: a) Review and evaluate any existing Council documents and strategies relating to dredging, water management and flood mitigation measures. b) Review the appropriateness of dredging, including maintenance dredging, in local waterways such as Tuggerah Lake and Brisbane Water and any exacerbates to flooding and provide recommendations. c) Assess and advise on methods for water quality improvement including debris and wrack management. d) Assist in formalising an arrangement with Lake Macquarie Council and MIDO in respect of shared use of a dredge. e) Investigate and pursue avenues for grant funding through the NSW Government and access through MIDO; and 3 Supports Council to work with the NSW State Government, Federal Government and relevant bodies on solutions to improve waterflow in local waterways. 4 The Panel is to comprise 5 Councillors; up to 3 Council staff as determined by the CEO; and up to 3 community members with relevant skills and expertise on a consultative and rotational basis per Panel meeting. 5 The Panel is to provide a report in conjunction with the CEO and Director of Environment and Planning, to be presented to Council at the July 2025 meeting. |
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FOR: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT, McNamara and McWaide AGAINST: Crs MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith and Lamont The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED |
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7:31 pm
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A Motion was MOVED by Councillor Castles and SECONDED by Councillor MacGregor:
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That Council:
1 Provides a comprehensive report at the next Ordinary Meeting outlining the status of all five Coastal Management Programs specifically: a) A timeline detailing when each stage was complete for each CMP b) A breakdown of all funding received from the NSW Government Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, including : i. The total amount received per CMP. ii. How these funds have been allocated and expended. iii. An explanation as to why, nearly 5 years after the commencement of the process, only the Lake Macquarie CMP has been completed and certified and what is required to finalise the remaining CMPs. iv. The next steps and expected completion timeframes for each outstanding CMP. 2 Directs Council staff to update the CMP section/page on Council's website, to: a) Provide clear, stage-by-stage updates with associated dates. b) Include links to all relevant reports, technical studies, and community consultation outcomes. 3 Ensures that Council's community engagement strategy for CMPs is improved to facilitate better public access to information and provide clear and transparent updates on progress.
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An Amendment was MOVED by Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and SECONDED by Councillor McWaide:
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That Council:
1 Provides a comprehensive report to the Environment and Planning Committee outlining the status of all five Coastal Management Programs specifically: a) A timeline detailing when each stage was complete for each CMP b) A breakdown of all funding received from the NSW Government Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, including : i. The total amount received per CMP. ii. How these funds have been allocated and expended. iii. An explanation as to why, nearly 5 years after the commencement of the process, only the Lake Macquarie CMP has been completed and certified and what is required to finalise the remaining CMPs. iv. The next steps and expected completion timeframes for each outstanding CMP.
2 Directs Council staff to update the CMP section/page on Council's website, to: a) Provide clear stage-by-stage updates with associated dates. b) Include links to all relevant reports, technical studies, and community consultation outcomes.
3 Ensures that Council's community engagement strategy for CMPs is improved to facilitate better public access to information and provide clear and transparent updates on progress.
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FOR: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT, McNamara and McWaide AGAINST: Crs MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal, Smith and Lamont The Amendment was put to the vote, declared CARRIED, and became the Motion
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The Motion MOVED by Deputy Mayor Eaton OAM and SECONDED by Councillor McNamara: was put to the vote.
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FOR: Crs McKinna, Mouland, Daniels, Smith, Eaton OAM, Stanton, WRIGHT, McNamara and McWaide AGAINST: Crs MacGregor, Castles, Crowley, Walsh, Neal and Lamont The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED |
The Meeting closed at 9:56 pm.