We are making a plan for the Central Coast that creates more land for jobs and homes while protecting important plants and animals.
The plan aims to balance development and biodiversity on the Central Coast. It will:
- provide planning and investment certainty for developers
- protect the environment for the long term
- counterbalance the effects of growth and development.
Around 3,069 hectares of land will be included in the plan. The land is flagged as a growth area in the Central Coast Regional Plan 2041. Some of the land is owned by Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, read their Development Delivery Plan for more information.
Exhibition of draft terms of reference
The NSW State and federal governments have agreed to progress the plan.
We are exhibiting the first stage of the plan – draft terms of reference – under section 146(1B)(b)(ii) of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It sets out how the impacts of development on biodiversity protected under the Act are assessed. This information will inform the strategic assessment report. It does not include details of the plan or information on individual landowner property mapping.
The draft terms of reference are on exhibition for public feedback until 5 pm 10 January 2025. Your feedback will help us to develop the strategic assessment report.
We will ask for feedback on the draft plan and assessment report in 2025.
For more information email [email protected]
Frequently asked questions
The plan will seek biodiversity approvals for the development of land. This will be in line with state and federal legislation. These approvals will allow development to happen on land that does not have high biodiversity value. Land can be developed without the need for individual site assessments for biodiversity.
Land covered by the conservation plan has been identified for growth under the Central Coast Regional Plan 2041 and the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council’s development delivery plan.
A conservation plan is needed to support the Central Coast region’s development. The Central Coast Strategy for Economic Growth has identified the need for the plan. The plan will contribute to the NSW Government’s housing priorities and targets. It will also contribute to healthier communities and environments. It supports the objectives of the Central Coast Regional Plan 2041.
Rather than site-by-site approvals, the conservation plan will look at biodiversity approvals at a broader, landscape scale. It looks at the cumulative impacts of growth to protect and manage the area’s biodiversity over the long term.
Land within the Greater Warnervale, Greater Lake Munmorah and Somersby growth areas and precincts, as identified in the Central Coast Regional Plan 2041. It also includes several sites owned by Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.
View the Central Coast Strategic Conservation Plan (CCSCP) Project Area map (PDF, 2.3 MB) for more details.
Publicly exhibiting the draft terms of reference under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is an important step in developing the plan.
Once the draft terms of reference are finalised, we will complete the draft strategic assessment report and draft Central Coast Strategic Conservation Plan. We will publicly exhibit these for feedback in 2025.
The draft plan will identify land where development is suitable. It will also identify areas of high biodiversity value where development must be avoided. The plan will outline a conservation program to balance the impacts of growth.
Your feedback on the draft documents is important. All feedback will be considered before the final plan is submitted to the state and federal environment ministers for consideration and approval.