One council, very different sites
Central Coast Council covers everything from Pearl Beach and Patonga in the south to Chain Valley Bay in the north, and from the beaches inland to the valleys. It is also the water and sewer authority for the region.
The planning framework is council-wide, but the constraints on individual properties vary a lot.
The two main pathways
Complying development certificate. Issued by an accredited certifier or council where the proposal meets the standards of the NSW Codes SEPP. Many dwelling demolitions qualify. Usually quicker.
Development application. Merit assessment by Central Coast Council against its planning controls. Required for heritage items and where complying development is excluded or the proposal does not fit the standards.
Coast controls that change the job
Bushfire. Large parts of the Coast are bushfire prone. That shapes the approval and construction of the new building and can affect vegetation management and tree retention.
Flood. Low-lying land around Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lakes, Budgewoi and Lake Munmorah, and along creeks, can be flood-affected. Floor levels and fill for the new build may be controlled.
Coastal hazards. Some beachfront areas are affected by erosion and coastal hazard planning.
Heritage. Listed items and some areas in older centres such as Gosford, Woy Woy and the historic valleys.
Trees and biodiversity. Council tree controls apply widely, and bushland blocks may carry biodiversity considerations.
Acid sulfate soils. In some low-lying areas, relevant to excavation for new footings.
Your planning certificate lists many of these for your property. A certifier or planner confirms the pathway.
Conditions to expect
- Neighbour notification.
- Hours of work.
- Dust, noise and sediment control.
- Asbestos survey and licensed removal before demolition.
- Waste management records.
- Tree protection.
- Dilapidation records for neighbouring structures where relevant.
- Crossover and road reserve approvals.
Who decides
The certifier or council issues the approval. The demolition contractor advises, supplies information and follows the conditions. Nobody can guarantee an approval.
General information only
Planning rules change and depend on the specific property. Confirm with a certifier or Central Coast Council.
Call 02 5024 3718 or send the job details through.
Talk to someone who knows Coast blocks. Seven days, 6am–7pm.
Questions people ask before they commit
Which council handles demolition on the Central Coast?
Central Coast Council, formed in 2016 from the former Gosford City and Wyong Shire councils. Complying development certificates can also be issued by accredited certifiers where a property qualifies.
Do I need a DA to demolish a house on the Central Coast?
Not always. Many dwellings can be demolished under a complying development certificate. Heritage items, sites excluded from complying development and proposals outside the standards need a development application to council.
Does bushfire prone land stop complying development?
Not necessarily, but bushfire matters affect what can be approved and built, and certain bushfire-affected sites or proposals may need a development application or additional assessment. Your certifier confirms the position for your lot.
Are there coastal hazard controls?
Some beachfront areas on the Coast are affected by coastal hazards such as erosion, and planning controls apply there. Properties in those areas should have the approval pathway confirmed early.
Who approves tree removal?
Central Coast Council regulates tree removal under its planning controls. Trees may be approved for removal as part of a development, require a separate permit, or need to be retained and protected.