Draft plan may be re-released with maps

A section of Central Coast Council's draft Development Control Plan is likely to be re-released after the public exhibition period ends on February 28 to include maps in the floodplain management chapter.

Cr Troy Marquart moved at the February 11 Council meeting for chapter 3.1 on Flood Management to be withdrawn from exhibition until maps could be provided clearly showing proposed new flood hazard areas.

"This chapter introduces a new hazard categorisation to be applied via six separate categories, H1 through to H6," Cr Marquart said.

"These will be applied to every property in the LGA subject to any form of flood affectation.

"The proposed hazard categories will impact many thousands of homes

"They apply various development constraints depending on flood affectation, culminating in the complete sterilisation of residential properties from all future development in categories H4 and above."

Cr Marquart said that, although the chapter referenced hazard mapping, it contained no actual maps for proposed hazard zones or guidance for residents to ascertain which hazard category would apply to their properties.

He also urged Council to consider the impact of a requirement in the draft chapter that homes experiencing a flood depth of 20cm or more must display a flood danger sign prominently on their property.

Addressing the councillors prior to the meeting in support of the motion, the deputy chair of the local chapter of the Urban Development Institute of Australia, consultant Town Planner Mr Chris Smith, said the absence of mapping was causing "some angst in the community".

"In discussions with staff last week, I've been informed that floodplain mapping may still be some months off," he said.

"Industry considers it premature to advance Chapter 3.1 (of the draft plan) without the accompany mapping."

Cr Marquart's motion was lost, with mayor Cr Jane Smith saying it was difficult to withdraw part of a plan already on exhibition.

However, the council resolved that a revised chapter be re-released for public exhibition once mapping has been added.

It also resolved that a report be prepared on how many properties currently zoned with development rights, residential or commercial, would fall into category H4 and above under the plan, what depth is considered "safe access" for emergency vehicles, and the impact of a displaying flood danger signs on properties.

SOURCE

Central Coast Council agenda 6.4, 11 Feb 2019

Media statement, 11 Feb 2019

Troy Marquart, Central Coast Council

Media statement, 11 Feb 2019

Chris Smith, UDIA