On 3 February 2026, an Environment & Planning (E&P) Committee meeting was conducted. At that meeting, the Report from the Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Subcommittee was tabled.
After a motion to receive the minutes of that subcommittee, the E&P Committee Chair, Clr Eaton, then announced that there was an item to be discussed in Confidential Session. No notice was given prior to the meeting, no information was shared about what this related to and no report was provided.
I can’t reveal the matter or discussion that was held in the confidential part of the meeting.
After the confidential discussion, the public record shows the following:
EPC-26/136
That the Committee recommends that Council considers the view of the Environment and Planning Committee in regard to the change in membership of the Coastal Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Subcommittee.
CARRIED on the casting vote of the Chairperson
FOR: Cr Eaton OAM, Cr Stanton, and Deputy Mayor Mouland
AGAINST: Cr Castles, Cr Smith, Cr Walsh
Further, I moved the following Motion of Dissent in the Chair, Clr Eaton:
A Motion of Dissent was moved by Cr Smith against the Chairperson's overruling of the amendment moved during the confidential session, asserting that currently, and during the confidential session, due and proper process had not been followed, and that the individuals involved in the matter arising have not been given the opportunity to respond to some of the matters raised in confidential session.
Clr Eaton ruled the Motion of Dissent Out of Order and closed the meeting.
At the Ordinary Council meeting held on 24 February, 2026, an item was listed (1.8) to deal with this matter in confidential. The CEO identifies that this matter could be considered in confidential -however it is up to the Councillors to decide whether it is or not.
I moved a motion at the Ordinary Council meeting that the item be dealt with in open session with the names of community members withheld, and that the confidential report be released to the public on Council’s website with the names of individuals redacted.
Although the Labor Councillors and Clr Lamont supported my motion for transparency, the Liberal and Team Central Coast Councillors voted for this item to stay in confidential.
The substance of the matter will be on the agenda for the March Council meeting – and will be discussed in confidential.
24 February 2026
