Central Coast Council is finally advertising for a Director of Environment and Planning with CEO David Farmer spruiking the job on LinkedIn.
“Here is a great opportunity to lead environmental and development outcomes in a really diverse and complex area,” Farmer said on the online professional network.
“The role oversees urban renewal, greenfields development, estuarine and coastal management, high value ecological areas and substantial rural and food processing industries.
“Make your mark in one of Australia’s largest local authorities.”
Edgar Adams, editor at Central Coast Business Review, commented on the post saying the position should be renamed Development and Environment.
“Whoever applies for this position must be totally focussed on the economic development of our great region,” Adams said with the must in capitals for emphasis.
“That means getting residential subdivisions, residential and industrial building development applications approved without delay and keeping this Council out of the Land and Environment Court needlessly costing Council hundreds of thousands of dollars in court costs and wasting Council staff time defending the indefensible.”
The position is currently filled in an acting capacity by director Jamie Loader whose usual role is Director of Water and Sewer at Council.
The previous Environment and Planning Director Dr Alice Howe, appointed in March 2022, left the position early last year on family leave and then resigned later in the year but Council announced it would not advertise the position until 2025.
The directorate assesses applications for development on the Coast.
In December last year the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure figures showed the average figure at the end of October for the Central Coast was 156 days to assess development applications (DAs) while the average assessment time for NSW councils was 104 days.
Director Loader said it would take some time for the figures to improve.
Speaking at the November 23 meeting, he said the older DAs were not showing up at all in the figures and so the numbers could deteriorate before they get better.
Deputy Mayor Doug Eaton, at the same meeting, noted the figures were trending backwards.
Eaton put a question on notice to Council asking for a monthly report to the meetings on the number of outstanding development applications, the average/median time for determination and the number of DA appeals lodged with the Land and Environment Court.
In reply, CEO David Farmer said Council staff could provide the requested reports via the Councillor Newsletter “to ensure the currency and timely provision of information”.
Mayor Lawrie McKinna said a lack of experienced staff in the department had led to a backlog.
“In the first quarter last year we were 20 staff members short in the Planning Department,” he said.
“But we are investing $8M to bring in senior staff, with nine senior positions to fill, including a new director.”
McKinna said the Council received the highest number of DA applications in the state, surpassing large councils including Sydney and Blacktown.
“We received 2,170 in the past financial year,” he said.
The Director of Environment and Planning position is being advertised on Seek with applications closing on Monday, February 17 at 5pm.
“This pivotal position offers the opportunity to lead a large directorate through a period of transformation, as the region navigates urban expansion and consolidation and complex environmental challenges,” the advertisement states.
“This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the Central Coast while addressing the environmental and planning needs of the region as well as serving a community of over 350,000 residents.”
It says the region offers a “stunning blend of natural beauty and urban growth” boasting pristine beaches, wetlands, scenic ridge tops, and lush woodlands.
“These elements are intertwined with diverse urban environments creating a unique balance that will be essential to maintain while in this position,” the advertisement says.
“The director will play a key role in contributing to the strategic plans of the Council.
“Your decision-making process must consider the broader implications for the entire Council and its community, striving for positive outcomes for all.
“The ideal candidate will oversee critical areas such as ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, driving strategic planning for sustainable growth, managing urban development assessments, and leading environmental initiatives to protect natural assets,” the advertisement states.
Merilyn Vale
They are saying they are taking 156 days to process a DA ,state government says should only take 45 days ! One of the biggest issues I see as a builder is that a lot of these assessing officers are on leave and while they are those DA’s sit idle for weeks on end how do the accumulate so much leave ?