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Housing Barriers review report
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This project sets out to identify what barriers unnecessarily complicate the development assessment process and impede the delivery of good housing outcomes.
With an understanding of these barriers Council can work towards internal process improvements, industry engagement and ongoing development of its planning controls to best meet the challenges of the current housing market.
The project is expected to provide a smoother and less complicated approach to the development assessment process resulting in an overall positive impact on the community.
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MidCoast residential land and housing supply
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The report provided a summary of the land that is available for housing development on the MidCoast.
The report details the number of areas that have been rezoned, and the size or area of rezoned area, that would accommodate residential subdivisions and if possible, their geographical location and the total number of possible house lots awaiting development in these rezoned areas in the MidCoast.
The findings revealed the Forster area has limited potential for expansion with future development expected in the form of units close to the town centre.
Old Bar, Wallabi Point, Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest and Hallidays Point have significant existing supply of residential land to cater for future growth in both the short and medium terms.
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Swimming pool operation review and recommendations
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We will be consulting with the community on the hours of use for community swimming pools following the adoption of a recommendation to alter pool operations for the 2024-25 year. This came as a result of a review of swimming pool operations across the nine public swimming pools MidCoast Council owns.
Changes include:
- All outdoor pools will open and close from the start and end of Eastern Daylight Saving Time, rather than aligned with school holiday dates subject to agreement with pool operators.
- The management of pools at Bulahdelah, Nabiac, Stroud, Tea Gardens and Wingham will be offered to either a community group or small operator.
- Fees and charges will be introduced across all pools
- The Manning Aquatic and Leisure Centre outdoor pool will close in the middle of the day.
- The Gloucester pool complex will continue to be managed by Council casual staff.
- The Manning Aquatic Leisure Centre and the Great Lakes Aquatic Centre will be operated through a specialist management contract which will be re-tendered, with a separable option of including the Wingham pool should a community group or operator not be found.
- No changes are proposed to the operation of the Great Lakes Aquatic Centre.
We will be working with the communities of Bulahdelah, Nabiac, Stroud, Tea Gardens and Wingham to understand their preferred opening times to inform operational decisions for the 2024-25 season.
We will gather information from the Krambach community to inform the development of a feasibility assessment for continuing to operate the pool and an assessment for the upgrade of the pool to meet current standards. We will also look at options for use of the site should the above be unfeasible.
Councillors also acknowledged that the Wingham pool is on poor condition with leaks and concrete cancer resulting in the pool nearing the end of its life. It was also acknowledged that there are no funds to construct a new pool.
The meeting resolved to write to the Member for Lyne and Member for Myall Lakes to seek grant dunging for concept plans, a feasibility study and the construction of a new pool for the Wingham community.
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Draft MidCoast Local Environmental Plan
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A draft MidCoast Local Environment Plan will be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment for a gateway determination, in what is a culmination of a number of years work by Council’s planning team.
The draft MidCoast LEP will provide a consistent approach to planning that is relevant, robust and responsive to the diverse landscapes and the desired character of the MidCoast.
Planning strategies have been developed and consultation undertaken over the last few years to support the creation of new planning controls.
Each of the documents were developed in consultation with the community and have guided the development of the draft MidCoast LEP.
The draft LEP aims to provide a consistent approach to land use planning that is relevant, robust and responsive to the diverse landscapes and desired character across the MidCoast.
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Draft MidCoast outdoor sports court strategy and draft MidCoast sports lighting plan
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The Outdoor Sports Courts Strategy and Sports Lighting Plan outlines the future direction of outdoor sports courts and sports lighting for the next 12 years and was placed on public exhibition for 25 days. Upon completion of the public exhibition a further report is to be submitted to Council detailing any submissions received in that time and noting any changes to the draft document.
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MidCoast Council annual carbon emissions report
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MidCoast Council adopted its Climate Change Strategy in June 2021 which includes targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2024 and 100 per cent renewable energy by 2040.
Council’s 2022-23 carbon emissions were recorded at 108,138 t CO2-e which is a decrease of 21 per cent from the previous year.
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Events and festival sponsorship
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A total of $52,000 was allocated to 16 community groups as part of the events and festival sponsorship program.
The program supports attracting and supporting events that capitalise on the strengths of the region in order to create a vibrant and connected community. In April 2021 Council adopted the Events and Festivals Sponsorship Policy. The policy applies to monetary sponsorship made by Council to eligible applicants for the delivery of events and activities in the MidCoast Council Local Government Area.
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Council meeting schedule
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This report provided Councillors with the meeting schedule for 2024 which was accepted.
Dates and further details for the meetings can be seen in the 25 October 2023 Open Agenda(PDF, 136MB).
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Use of public open space by commercial fitness trainers policy and procedure
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Outdoor fitness has significantly increased in recent years with commercial fitness trainers utilising parks, public reserves, public open spaces and sporting grounds. The need to regulate use of public open space by all members of the community has been identified and this policy addresses the impact on the high-level use of Council’s assets and public liability and risk concerns.
Councillors accepted the report and the recommendation that it be placed on public exhibition for 25 working days.
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Alterations and additions to Palms Oasis Caravan Park
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The decision on a development application seeking consent for alterations and additions to the existing Palms Oasis Caravan Park was deferred until the next Council meeting.
The application was seeking to establish an additional 64 long-term sites above those already approved, to bring the total to 168 sites. The additional sites are positioned to the north of the existing caravan park, within the area of land recently rezoned for the expansion of the caravan park.
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Three storey dwelling 65 Kinka Road, Seal Rocks
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Councillors deferred a decision on a development application for the construction of a three-storey dwelling, retaining wall and carport subject to conditions at 65 Kinka Road, Seal Rocks.
The application was for a building that is 28 percent higher than the maximum height of buildings for the area.
The development also received more than 10 submissions in regard to the application.
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Water usage, water resources and outlook
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During the period from January to October 2023 average water usage for all schemes has generally tended to be above the median historical trend. As of 10 October, water usage for all schemes was 12.5 per cent above that of 2022 and 4.7 per cent above the median usage over the last few years.
If rainfall is not received in the next few weeks there is a chance the river will stop flowing. This would trigger the introduction of water restrictions.
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