CEN belives that this is a very bad policy that will impact the health of many people with asthma as it allows burning without a permit and increases the amount of fuel by 270%.

The existing RFS/NSWFB Policy on Pile Burning does all that is needed for keeping properties clear of fuel around buildings. In areas within the Sydney Air Shed (i.e. from the Hunter to Illawarra via the Central Coast) Pile Burning should not be allowed as nearly 5 million people (roughly 450,000 of whom have asthma) are impacted by what is discretionary burning.

The asthma foundation has previously raised the issue with the NSW Government, see file:///C:/Users/CCEN/AppData/Local/Temp/wlmail-433777574/supfiles2A14595/Clean%20Air%20for%20New%20South%20Wales_Submission.pdf

In particular:

The NSW Rural Fire Service has an existing Pile Burning Standard (See: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/13323/Standards-for-Pile-Burning.pdf )which notes:

If the pile burn could be of danger to a building (at any time of the year) or the burn is during the Bush Fire Danger Period, you must have a Fire Permit issued by the RFS or Fire and Rescue NSW. This standard provides advice regarding the construction of vegetation piles in order to allow safe and efficient burning.

It appears that the CC Council has been lobbied to implement a Central Coast Council draft Pile Burning policy which is on exhibition until 19th December. The policy is a massive expansion of the scale of burning (i.e. Increases the size (diameter) of logs from 150 mm to 300 mm , an increase of 400%, Increases the bulk of Open Pile Burns from 1.5 by 2 metres to 2 metres by 4 metres an increase of 270%). It also seeks to remove the need for a permit and instead allow for self assessment and burns at any time. 

The current draft allows self assessment for:

D1           Parcels of land must be:

• Greater than 4,000m2in area; and

• RE2 Private Recreation, 
• R5 Large Lot Residential, 
• RU1 Primary Production, 
• RU2 Rural Landscape,
• RU5 Village or 
• RU6 Transition under the Local Environment Plan.

• Self assessment means nothing.

The draft policy has excluded self-assessment on Environmentally Zones land – but there is huge pressure on councillors for this to be allowed.

RFS have indicated that there are 3 major considerations each comes under different legislation:

1. Safety and Controlling Wildfire is the responsibility of the RFS and the Bushfires Act;
2. Smoke is the regulatory responsibility of the EPA and CC Council. The person who lights the fire (either with or without a permit) is responsible for any deleterious effects on neighbours;
3. Environment(vegetation) is the responsibility of the CC Council and clearing or burning needs their approval.

However, RFS are missing a significant aspect, being the impact of pollution on public health. As this policy covers the discretionary burning of a heap of dry vegetation at any time except during days of total fire bans it is not emergency or critical part of the fire risk management strategy. The fuel could just as easily be disposed of by other means which do not generate smoke – such as mulching or dumping at a waste facility. Air Pollution in the Sydney Air Shed can come from anywhere from the Central Coast to the Illawarra as the winds recirculate being trapped between the mountains and the coast.

There are many areas on the Central Coast where blocks of rural residential of 4,000 + square metres could be burnt regularly. For example, In the immediate area surrounding Glenning Valley, (Ourimbah, Berkeley Vale) there are nearly 14,000 people who are likely to be adversely impacted by smoke. Hence, the policy should not apply near urban areas.

Where burning may be conducted without a Permit, there is nothing to stop people burning each time a pile of leaves can be raked up, this could be almost continually. 1 in 9 Australians suffer from asthma and wood smoke is a source which is almost impossible to avoid.

It is not that hard to take vegetation to the tip – just laziness and disregard for the health of others by some landowners.

If you are affected by smoke or live in an area where people like to light up every weekend say NO to more pollution. Put a submission which asks CC Council to always require a Permit for Pile Burning.

CEN has an online form to help with submissions - click here

For more information visit: https://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/draftopenpileburnpolicy

Remember - submissions are due by 19th December

The Central Coast Council has recently placed its Draft Tree and Vegetation Management Chapter XXX on exhibition for public comment.

While the draft chapter generally requires landowners to obtain a Permit from Council to remove or prune a tree, the draft also describes Exemptions to avoid having to obtain a Council Permit.

The Draft Chapter and Submission details are available through the following link: https://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/draft-development-control-plan-xx-tree-and-vegetation-management.

Under the proposed chapter, trees may be removed without a Permit if Council is “satisfied” that they are dead or are assessed as posing a risk to persons or property and are not required as habitat for native fauna. Evidence of these assessments is required to be kept by the landowner for 6 months after the removal.

Read more: The Community's chance to save the trees in the back yards of the Central Coast

Background information on Mangrove Mountain Landfill

Mangrove Mountain Landfill sits at the highest point of the Central Coast water catchment and threatens the quality of the Central Coast water supply. The Landfill is located at the Mangrove Mountain Golf Course on the boundary between Gosford LGA and Wyong LGA. The threat comes from escaping leachate produced by the landfill that can seep into the underlying groundwater aquifer. This landfill has been getting bigger since 2001 and is currently 10 times the approved size.

The landfill has lain idle since 2014, following action in the Land and Environment Court, although there is still the matter of 800,000 cubic metres of waste sitting there without an effective lining underneath to prevent the escape of toxic leachate into the groundwater.

Scientific study has demonstrated that almost half of the stream flow in Ourimbah Creek comes from this groundwater. Central Coast Council pumps out of Ourimbah Creek into Mardi Dam. Water in Mardi Dam is shared with Mangrove Creek Dam. These are the two potable water storage facilities for the entire Central Coast.

The Mountain Districts community has been engaged for over ten years, opposing this threat to the regional water supply.

Two actions are sought. Firstly, a Special Commission of Inquiry to investigate the reasons that allowed a minor golf course remodelling project with development consent to become a regional waste management facility. Mangrove Mountain Landfill is an example of a gross failure of regulatory process and the community would like an inquiry to identify how this happened so that these sorts of things can be prevented in the future. Secondly, the community believe that Mangrove Mountain Landfill should be closed and the site remediated to eliminate the threat of leachate contaminating the Central Coast drinking water supply.

Read more: THE BATTLE OVER MANGROVE MOUNTAIN LANDFILL IS IN THE LAND AND ENVIRONMENT COURT

The shark was found at a popular NSW central coast diving spot.

Our oceans are under threat, with warming oceans, pollution and over fishing we need to ensure we establish protected marine environments for future generations.

Shark Drowned in Marine Sanctuary

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-29/divers-find-shark-strung-up/4850334

The Shark was caught, stabbed and drowned in a marine sanctuary.

Read more: Save our Fish - The Hawkesbury Shelf marine bioregion assessment Plan

The State Government has released a series of documents.
They are colourful, have lots of photos and drawings.
But the devil is in the detail.
This fact sheet explores the detail.

Here is the detail - download

The State Government is proposing to take away planning controls of Council; allow overshadowing of parks; eliminate planning controls on both the maximum height & FSR on large sites; reduce parking requirements for specific developments and on specific sites.
In other words, the State Government is opening the door to developers where the State Government is both the assessing authority and the determining authority. What check and balance does the community have?

Have your say lodge a submission.

Thoughts for inclusion in a submission

• Councillor representation should be on all decision making bodies including Design Review Panel. “No taxation without representation”;
• Council to have responsibility for assessment of all applications no matter what value to ensure effective community consultation is included in the assessment process. “Elected representatives to ensure ratepayers voice is heard”;
• No overshadowing of any public parks including Kibble, Burns and Leagues Club between 9 am and 3 pm at winter solstice. “A park is not a park without sunlight”;
• Ridgeline views to be contiguous with from waterfront. “Public Space maintains amenity”;
• Impact of large buildings on views from lookouts to be assessed and not to be impacting horizon; “Maintain uninterrupted horizon views from public reserves (such as Rumbalara and Presidents Hill)”;
• Car parking to match most likely demand, not idealised projections or wishful thinking; “Number of car parking spaces based on actual demand”; and
• Place Manager to be employed by Council.

Submissions can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You can post a submission to the
Department of Planning and Environment,
PO Box 1148
Gosford NSW 2250
Submissions close on 29 June, 2018

Mountain Districts Association (MDA) and the Community Environment Network (CEN) are now calling for an Independent Commission of Inquiry and investigation by the NSW Police into the Mangrove Mountain Landfill as a matter of urgency. We are also calling on the NSW Premier to sack the EPA Board.

Did you see the ABC 4Corners story exposing the waste industry and disaster at Mangrove Mountain Landfill?

There needs to be an investigation into the sordid facts behind Gosford City Council (GCC) and NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)’s apparent gross neglect of statutory responsibilities.

This landfill site is in our drinking water catchment.We need this waste dump cleaned up and the site rehabilitated.

Mountains Districts Association submitted a lenghty document to the NSW Premier detailing major irregularities in the licensing, operation and management of Mangrove Mountain Landfill over a period of 18 years.

Our Wildwatch Program is all about connecting kids with nature.

Research over the past decade has built up an impressive body of evidence demonstrating the value of connecting children with nature in a way that results in an increase in environmental knowledge, a deeper, more personal, understanding of the way their world functions, academic gains, and higher social and emotional functioning, especially in self-esteem, calculated risk taking and confidence. (AAEE website)

Wildwatch is an opportunity for children (and families) to engage in a program that promotes a love of nature, opportunities to observe nature and grow in knowledge, skills and understanding.

Click here to sign up to Wildwatch!

 Want to find out more? - then email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Wildwatch program is supported by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust

As part of our 20th Anniversary Celebrations, CEN will be holding an Amateur Photographic Competition.

For further details - Download our Terms and Conditions / Entry Form.

ONLINE ENTRY FORM

For more information - phone Barbara - ph: 4332 3597 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Want to find out about some of the good and bad things that are happening with decision makers in relation to the Gosford environment and efforts to achieve environmental sustainability?

Sign up to the Gosford Observer here

Read the latest Gosford Observer

The Coastal Open Space System (COSS) is a network of reserves supporting natural vegetation that are managed by Gosford Council for a number of environmental and community values. COSS lands provide important ecological habitats (or homes) and essential linkages (wildlife corridors) for diverse fauna and flora. These natural areas are also popular places for leisure and relaxation with residents and visitors alike.

Become a Friend of COSS Member

The Community Environment Network (CEN) is proud to offer the services of a professional Bush Regeneration Team. CEN has been conducting professional Bush Regeneration Services for over 6 years.

Read more: CEN Bush Regen Team Available