Coastal Twist Festival Fair Day in doubt
The Coastal Twist Festival's Fair Day planned for the Umina Recreation Precinct on Sunday, October 5, is in doubt unless a planning stalement is resolved.
Central Coast Council has issued a letter stating "the proposed festival cannot be supported on the long weekend".
The Council's media unit has told Peninsula News that this was not a refusal but a request for more information about the application, which was lodged on February 10.
It was not until six months after the application was lodged, earlier this month on July 2, when "senior Council staff and senior representatives of NSW Police met with the applicant to provide advice and guidance on the information required".
Festival organiser Mr Juan Iocco said the advice included requirements which "total to a $35,000 bill in reports, including two separate traffic reports and two bushfire reports".
He said: "No community or local event would be able to cover this."
The Council media statement issued on Saturday claimed: "Council is keen for the event to proceed and is very supportive of it, having provided funding for it."
Responding to a question to West Ward councillors of whether this support would extend to paying for the reports, Cr Belinda Neal said: "The Coastal Twist Festival Fair Day is a much-anticipated event for the Peninsula.
"It would be a great disappointment to the residents if the festival did not take place.
"I have been urging the Mayor and CEO and Director for Environment and Planning to resolve outstanding issues so this community event can proceed."
According to Mr Iocco, the Council letter stated: "Upon assessment of the application, the proposed festival cannot be supported on the long weekend due to the likely impacts the festival may have on the locality."
Mr Iocco said it stated: "The proposed date of the festival, Sunday, October 5, will clash with the long weekend and NRL grand final.
"In this regard, parking in Councils carparks and surrounding streets will already be at capacity with long weekend visitors.
"The festival will result in unacceptable traffic and parking impacts; therefore, the date of the festival is not supported."
The council media statement said the growth of the Fair Day meant the application needed "to reflect how these larger numbers will be managed to ensure the event is a success for the operator and the attendees".
"The applicant must be able to provide necessary information on how the operator will manage potential impacts for the safe operation of the event, including traffic, parking, waste, toilets and amenities, and the like.
"The NSW Police must also be satisfied that in particular traffic and crowds are able to be managed.
"Council staff are currently awaiting the receipt of information from the applicant in relation to those matters."
It is not clear whether this, and the need for consultant reports, was explained in the "pre-lodgement meeting" normally held between an applicant and council planning staff before a development application is submitted.
The basis of the council assessment is also unclear, and whether it included the need to deploy Brisbane Water police to Sydney for the grand final.
Because the application has not been refused, no information is yet provided of the assessment on the council planning portal.
Minutes of pre-lodgement meetings are also not published on the portal.
Mr Iocco said: "We are persevering. We will give our all."
He said he was hopeful of a pro bono offer to prepare the necessary reports.
SOURCE:
Media statement, 26 Jul 2025
Juan Iocco, Coastal Twist Festival
Media statement, 26 Jul 2025
Central Coast Council
Media statement, 27 Jul 2025
Belinda Neal, Central Coast Council