Comment on submission policy closes this week

The closing date for public comment on Central Coast Council's draft policy for deciding development applications subject to significant public objection is September 7.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, called for the draft policy in a mayoral minute to the July 27 ordinary council meeting.

"Members of the community have approached me seeking clarification on when DAs will be determined by me (as the governing body of Council), and when development applications might be determined by Council staff under delegation," Mr Reynolds said.

"I am proposing that a modification of the policy of the former Wyong Council be adopted, which will: require that all development applications that are the subject of more than 100 public submissions (not including petitions) are to be reported to a Council meeting for consideration and determination, unless the application is recommended for refusal or unless sufficient changes have been made to the proposal to adequately address issues raised by the community," he said.

"This is not a fait accompli."

According to the draft policy, currently available on the council's website, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 provides for public participation as part of the assessment process for certain DAs.

According to the draft policy, "The Group Leader has delegation to determine DAs regardless of the number of submissions received.

"It is appropriate that DAs that are subject to significant public objection are reported to an Ordinary Meeting of Council for determination,' the draft said.

The draft policy outlines how DAs attracting significant public feedback would be dealt with by the new council.

DAs subject of less than 50 submissions and/or petitions totalling less than 50 signatures would be determined under delegation, unless a "call-up request" is received by the CEO or the Group Leader.

DAs subject of between 50 and 100 submissions; or petitions totalling more than 50 signatures, will be the subject of a "business update" that outlines the number of submissions and/or petitions received and issues raised.

Councillors, or the Administrator, may decide whether to give a call-up request to the CEO or the Group Manager.

"If no call-up request is received then the Development Application will be determined under delegation," the draft policy said.

"Development Applications subject of more than 100 submissions (not including petitions) will be reported to an Ordinary Meeting of Council for consideration, unless: the application is recommended for refusal; or Changes have been made to the proposed development that, in the opinion of the Group Leader, have adequately addressed the issues raised during the Notification Period and/or there was a substantial reduction in the number of submissions (to less than 100) as a result of any later re-notification," the draft policy said.

A report will come to a meeting in September 2016, when a decision will be made as to the policy to be adopted."

Website, 1 Sep 2016

Items on exhibition, Central Coast Council

Mayoral minute, 27 Jul 2016

Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council