Copacabana dunes safe from development

Councillor Jared Wright with Bernadine Mitchell and Greg Maude from the Copacabana Community Association

After years of consultation, draft policies and feedback sessions, Central Coast Council and the community have said no to allowing any developments or the sale of Council-owned land along the dunes at Copacabana Beach.

Councillor Jared Wright moved an amendment to the Community Land Plan of Management 2025, to provide added clarity to the categorisation of land along the dune system at Copacabana, which was passed unanimously at Council’s meeting on June 23.

The amendment ensures protection of the land from development.

“In recent years, local residents and the Copacabana Community Association have continued to advocate to Council to ensure that the land would not be categorised as general community use, as that could mean development along the foreshore area,” Wright said.

“Council has listened to this feedback and I am pleased to say that no development will be occurring along the dunes at Copacabana.”

He said the finalised categorisation does allow Council to continue leasing out the surf club and for the surf club to remain operational into the future. 

“The community has been advocating for over three years on this, as it has always been clear that residents do not want to see any development along the dune system,” Wright said.

“Throughout the process, Council has run sessions to hear from the community.”

President of the Copacabana Community Association, Bernadine Mitchell, said Council had listened to the community.

“Local residents are thrilled with this outcome and I want to thank others within the Association like Sue Steedman and Rob Morgan, who have continued to champion our point of view over recent years and have not stopped fighting for the interests of local residents and their families,” Mitchell said.

She also co-ordinates the Copacabana Bushcare Group, an organisation dating back to 1995 focused on restoring the dune system through tree planting and ongoing maintenance.

“Copacabana is a tightknit community with a proud history that centres around the beach and our natural environment,” Mitchell said.

“That is what draws people into the area and it is why they never want to leave.

“We will continue to work on beautifying the area and encourage anyone who is interested to join us and lend a hand.”

This year the Copacabana Bushcare Group celebrates its 30-year anniversary.

The group meets on the first Saturday of every month from 2pm-4pm.

Those wanting to get involved can reach out via the Copacabana Bushcare Group Facebook page.

4 Comments on "Copacabana dunes safe from development"

  1. I wonder if the picture of the grinning Cheshire cat was taken before or after he voted to give himself a rate payer funded pay rise?

  2. Geoffrey Preece | July 1, 2025 at 10:45 am | Reply

    This sounds like an excellent outcome.

  3. Fantastic outcome

  4. Sand Dune Lover | July 2, 2025 at 1:23 pm | Reply

    At least some dunes on the central coast have been saved from development!! It’s a shame for the dunes that are already overdeveloped. Let’s hope Jared leads the way to protect all coastal dunes and beaches from all development.

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