The Masterplan for Careel Bay identifies the major issues in and around Careel Bay and the intention of the Masterplan is to clearly outline Council’s and the community’s aims, policies and development controls to guide development and activities in Careel Bay.

A draft Masterplan was on public exhibition from 23 December 2007 till 17 February 2007. Submissions and summary of submissions.

A meeting about the draft Masterplan was held on 28 March 2007 at Newport Public School Hall, Stuart Street, Newport. The purpose of the meeting was to seek additional community consultation with interested individuals and groups following exhibition. Councillors, local residents, community groups, a representative from NSW Maritime and interested individuals attended the meeting. See issues raised at the meeting.

There was a high level of participation across both these activities, and considerable thought put into submissions received during the exhibition and comments made during the meeting. Many important issues were identified and shared.

A report on the exhibition of the Masterplan went before the Urban and Environmental Assets Committee meeting of 21 May 2007. At that meeitng, the committee recommended that a decision on the adoption of the draft Masterplan be deferred to a Council meeting held after the decision in the appeal involving Austral Monsoon versus the Minister for Planning has been handed down.

The report on the submissions received on the Careel Bay Masterplan was resubmitted to Council at its meeting of 7 April 2008. Council resolved the following at that meeting:

“1. That the Careel Bay Masterplan be adopted as included at Attachment 2 [of report] and that the masterplan be incorporated into Pittwater 21 DCP in its next review.

2. That the following actions be undertaken separately to the masterplan:

• The central and eastern precincts of the George Street Masterplan be reviewed.
• A cat trapping and education program for nearby residents of the mangroves be introduced.
• An education program for residents surrounding Careel Bay (including education in relation to water contamination issues) be introduced.
• The adequacy of signage in relation to unleashed dogs in Careel Bay be reviewed.

3. That council staff initiate an investigation with the owners of the marina should both applications fail, for the possible provision of a public boat ramp in any redevelopment.

4. That the potential Boat Ramp be included in the Masterplan.”

At the meeting of 7 April 2008, the following further resolution was also made:

“That Council seek priority attention of its application regarding aquatic reserve status of Careel Bay to the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the relevant Minister and seek a meeting with the Minister regarding this application.”