Central Coast Council has appointed Luke Nicholls as its new Director of Environment and Planning, following the sudden resignation of his predecessor, Dr Danielle Toase, in April.
Toase began in the role on April 14 but stepped down just over a week later, with Council confirming her resignation on April 23 due to personal circumstances.
CEO David Farmer said he was disappointed by the outcome but respected Toase’s decisiveness, with Jamie Loader temporarily taking responsibility for the directorate while recruitment was underway.
Following an extensive search process, Luke Nicholls officially commenced in the role on June 16.
In his new position, Nicholls will oversee strategic planning, development assessment, environmental management and compliance, and the management of Council’s commercial property and business enterprises.
Nicholls brings significant experience to the role, holding qualifications in urban and regional planning, environmental law, and public policy.
His career includes senior executive positions at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Bankstown City Council, and Blue Mountains City Council.
He has also served as Principal and CEO of a national economics and planning consultancy and, most recently, led the Planning Partnership Office, a collaboration between NSW Government agencies and local councils to deliver growth across western Sydney.
Council CEO David Farmer welcomed Nicholls’ appointment, saying Council was fortunate to have him join the executive team.
As the third largest council in NSW, Central Coast Council manages one of the state’s most diverse and growing communities.
The Environment and Planning directorate plays a key role in balancing sustainable growth with the protection of the region’s valued lifestyle and environment.
Council says Nicholls’ appointment will be a stabilising step forward for the directorate as the Central Coast enters its next phase of growth.
I wish him luck, he is inheriting a shambolic Planning Directorate where staff rule the roost and make inconsistent ad hoc decisions.
His predecessor lasted 4 days in the job.
My recent DA took 28 months and was subject to incorrect and inconsistent statements by staff.
Read Mr Nicholls knows Environmental law.Fingers crossed the Developers waving $1.6 billion in front of the council to re zone C2 conservation land know as the Charmhaven forest that has the Charmhaven Apple only area in the world, endangered Orchids and wildlife stays true to the Central Coast and stands up for Biodiversity .The animals that have been displaced due to the Warnervale development are coming to this area as there is nowhere for them left this side of the freeway.🤞