policy
Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 and Local Planning Panel decisions determine development applications
Central Coast residents experience development decisions made by the independent Local Planning Panel under planning controls effective since 1 August 2022, with some deferred lands still under interim instruments.
How we reported this
The Central Coast Local Planning Panel now reviews and determines development applications across the Central Coast Local Government Area, including those involving conflict of interest, contentious matters or sensitive developments. Council elected members no longer hold power to approve or object to these applications, with final decisions resting with the Local Planning Panel or Regional Planning Panels instead.
Consolidated planning controls now in operation
The consolidated Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 and Development Control Plan 2022 took effect on 1 August 2022. These instruments replaced earlier fragmented planning rules for most of the region and form the primary controls guiding development proposals today.
Areas previously covered by IDO 122 and GPSO remain classified as deferred lands. These locations continue under interim planning instruments while the council progresses work to bring them into the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022.
Coastal management steps and next stages
The council has adopted the Open Coast Coastal Management Program, including amendments that strengthen offshore sand nourishment actions. The program is now being submitted to the NSW Minister for Environment for certification.
These arrangements mean that most development applications lodged since 1 August 2022 are assessed against the single set of 2022 controls rather than the previous mix of instruments. Residents seeking to understand how a proposal in their area will be assessed can refer directly to the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022 and the independent panel process for contentious cases.
Work on incorporating the remaining deferred lands continues, and the outcome of the Open Coast Coastal Management Program certification will determine further coastal actions. Residents in affected locations will encounter the updated framework once those steps are completed.