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Collapse Issue 456 - 22 Oct 2018Issue 456 - 22 Oct 2018
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Building density increase proposed for Woy Woy
Bungaree to be commemorated at Pearl Beach
Dredging delays ferry service for another month
Group to fight over-development of Peninsula
Clean4Shore wins people's choice award
Waterways committee formed at community meeting
Council to prepare long-term dredging plan
Hotel in running for award
Beaches graded as 'good'
Community group urges residents to become involved
Oyster Festival is all set to proceed
Woytopia may be rescheduled before Christmas
Housing strategy comment period extended 90 days
New hall proposed at retirement village
Council considers non-complying proposal
Work may proceed on townhouses
Construction certificate granted for four units
Council allows restaurant seating to double
Changes approved for proposed childcare centre
State policy changes before council adopts it
Locks installed on CWA flagpoles
Climate change policy not due before February
Restaurant wins fourth chef's hat
Rotary club helps with Moonlight Cinema
Seniors citizens' centre to host a bazaar
English conversation resumes
New jetski for life saving club
Market day continued success
Volunteer thanked by Tesch
Rotary afternoon tea raises $800
Free parenting sessions at community centre
Uniting church plans fashion parade and arts day
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
A home must deliver low-cost living
'Showcase' ignores council and community concerns
State Government has a responsibility for channel
Common sense and beer budget should prevail
Council should decide planning implications
Mother Nature does not act alone
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Sedentary health issues on the rise, says chiropractor
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Philharmonia farewells musical director at Woy Woy
Pottery resumes with repair of kiln
Jeannie Lewis to perform at folk club
Foundation holds awards day
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Alice in Wonderland musical was a sell-out success
Parents asked to provide information now
Cultural continuum excursion
Students discuss cyber-bullying
Early childhood consultant offers workshop
Parents asked to make way for grandparents
Headstart starts on Thursday
Preschool rating was 'excellent'
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Swans join new AFL league
Nominated for best comeback of the year
Life savers return from international competition
Pelicans win medals at masters championships
Volunteer training for disabled surfing
Tennis court and bowling green named at Pearl Beach
Presentation day
Jemma Smith nominated for national award
Association readies for the touch football season

State policy changes before council adopts it

A State Government policy that may have reduced the number non-complying multi-dwelling housing projects on the Peninsula seems to have been withdrawn soon after it was implemented.

The new NSW Government policy introduced on December 15 meant that any development application that included a variation to planning limits of more than 10 per cent should have been referred to a Council meeting.

Central Coast Council recently decided to follow the practice.

However, according to Mills Oakley Law partner Mr Aaron Gadiel, the Department of Planning revoked its earlier decision on February 21, less than three months after introducing it.

The revised planning circular entitled "Variations to development standards" now requires concurrence of the Department of Planning, but not a Council resolution.

"One key difference is that a local council officer will not be able to approve a development application that relies on a ... variation of more than 10 per cent without the concurrence of the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment," Mr Gadiel said.

Another change introduced by NSW Planning but not yet implemented by the Central Coast Council is the adoption of Community Participation Plans.

"These plans can set out new additional mandatory requirements for community participation in development decisions," according to Mr Gadiel said.

"These plans may impose mandatory preconditions that proponents (developers) must satisfy (in terms of community consultation) before an application for a planning approval (for major development) is made," Mr Gadiel said.

"While the government has foreshadowed that it may make regulations as to the form, content and procedures for the adoption of community participation plans, no such regulations have been made," he said.

"This means that local councils have a wide degree of latitude to decide for themselves what obligations to place on proponents in their community participation plans.

"Community participation plans can be prepared and adopted by local councils now and each local council is, at the latest, obliged to adopt such a plan by July 1."

A "local strategic planning statement" will also need to be prepared and adopted by Central Coast Council and must set out planning priorities and actions for the area.

"When a council is divided into wards and the statement separately deals with each ward, the local councillors for that ward will be able to veto any statement that they do not like," Mr Gadiel said.

"There is a provision for a state agency to override the veto of the ward councillors, but this can only be done at the request of the local council itself.

"The local strategic planning statement will not be the legal document that sets out the formal zoning of land and what is permitted and prohibited in each area.

"This role still rests with local environmental plans.

"However, the new planning laws require any planning proposal (for a change in planning controls) to address whether the proposal will give effect to the local strategic planning statement.

The Central Coast Council must have its strategic planning statement in place by July 1, 2020.

Mr Gadiel said work for a local strategic planning statement could delay site-specific changes to planning controls.





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