Development issues 'too complicated', says council

The call for a moratorium on any further development in flood-prone areas of the Peninsula has not received an immediate response from Central Coast Council.

According to Council, the issues raised by the ACF branch were too "complicated" to be addressed in a short timeframe.

A comprehensive Local Environment Plan (LEP) will be undertaken by the newly-elected Council and will set planning controls for each area of the Central Coast.

In response to questions from Peninsula News about the ACF branch's criticisms, Council identified that it had funded over $2 million on drainage projects on the Peninsula in the 2017-18 year.

They included: the $1.2 million reconstruction of Springwood St from Palm St to Cambridge St which will include street drainage, kerb and gutter, footpath, pavement works and resurfacing.

Street drainage is also included in the $600,000 to be spent on the reconstruction of Mount Ettalong Rd from Edgecliff Rd to Berrima Cres.

Lone Pine Ave from Haynes Ave to Ocean Beach Rd will also undergo a $600,000 reconstruction including street drainage, kerb and gutter, pavement works and resurfacing.

Council did not comment on whether the expenditure would address localised flooding.

When Central Coast Council was established in May 2016, the State Government decreed that the planning instruments that applied in the former Gosford Local Government Area should remain in place until a new LEP was adopted.

In May, Council announced that it had already developed a draft consolidated LEP.

"The draft is currently with the Department of Planning and Environment for gateway approval prior to being exhibited for public comment," Council group leader for planning Mr Scott Cox said in May.

It was important to get the consolidated LEP right to ensure a consistent approach to development, Mr Cox said at the time.

"The consolidated LEP has been developed and is with the Department of Planning and Environment for review.

"Once they give it the green light it will need to go out to State agency and community consultation which is the appropriate process.

"We need to undertake State agency consultation first which does usually take a few months so the draft LEP will be presented to the new council and community consultation will follow.

"This administration period has been all about preparing a solid foundation for the newly-elected Council to build on.

"The consolidated LEP will do that by laying the groundwork for a comprehensive review of planning controls.

"The preparation of comprehensive LEP is a longer process.

"It will give us an opportunity to really look at the Central Coast as a whole and see what stand-alone planning controls are needed to continue to develop the Central Coast in a sustainable way."

Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said Council was continuing the conversation with the development sector, the State Government and the community to deliver the housing and infrastructure to meet the growing community needs.

"We have planning controls in place which continue to facilitate development, as we work on a longer term solution that will see the Coast thrive and prosper," Mr Reynolds said.

Information about the Consolidated LEP will be available on Council's engagement hub yourvoiceourcoast.com "soon".

SOURCES:

Media statement, 3 Aug 2017

Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council

Media release, 30 May 2017

Scott Cox, Central Coast Council