Planning Panel holds first Public Meeting

The newly formed Central Coast Local Planning Panel (LPP) will conduct its first public meeting this Thursday 11 June 2020.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the inaugural meeting of the Planning Panel is a milestone for the region’s planning system.

“It is great to see the Central Coast LPP getting down to business and bringing greater transparency, probity and accountability to planning in the Central Coast,” Mr Crouch said.

“The Central Coast is growing and the new LPP is crucial to ensure that major developments are planned and delivered in a strategic way.”

The Central Coast LPP will be chaired by Donna Rygate, with alternate chairs Jason Perica and Kara Krason.

Ms Rygate has extensive expertise in governance, a Masters in Planning and is the Chief Executive of Local Government NSW, the peak body representing local councils.

“Donna understands the needs of local communities and she is committed to integrity and proper process,” Mr Crouch said.

“The two alternate chairs also bring great expertise in town planning to the panel.”

LPPs are independent bodies that make decisions on sensitive and contentious development applications in local government areas. They are made up of a chair, a community representative and two independent experts appointed by Central Coast Council from a Minister-endorsed pool of independent, qualified people.

The community representative is selected on the basis of a respective projects location, with a representative nominated for each council ward: Anthony Tuxworth (Gosford East), Lynette Hunt (Gosford West), Paul Dignam (Wyong), Scott McGrath (The Entrance) and David Kitson (Budgewoi).

The independent expert is selected from a pool of six and rotated regularly to prevent corruption risk. The pool of six includes: Gregory Flynn, Sue Francis, Stephen Leathley, Linda McClure, Grant Christmas and Garry Fielding.

The first meeting of the Central Coast LPP will take place from 2pm on Thursday via video conference to ensure public health and safety during COVID-19. The video conference will be broadcast live via the Council website and recorded.

For more information, go to: www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/meetings-and-minutes/local-planning-panel