Central Coast Council has announced the appointment of Dr Danielle Toase as its new Director of Environment and Planning.
Council says the appointment comes after an extensive recruitment process.
Dr Toase will oversee the Environment and Planning directorate within Council, leading functions such as Development Assessment, Environmental Management and Environmental Compliance.
“Danielle is an Environment and Planning Executive with a wealth of experience across the corporate, consulting, regulatory, research and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sectors,” Council said.
“Widely recognised as a leader in her field, Danielle’s expertise has led her to publish over 10 academic papers and share her insights as an expert panellist and presenter at conferences across Australia, Europe and the USA.
“Danielle is motivated by the opportunity to apply her multi-disciplinary skills and experience to drive positive environmental and developmental outcomes in the community that she calls home,” Council said.
Council did not says what topics were covered in the academic papers.
Council’s CEO David Farmer, announced the appointment this week saying Council is very fortunate to have Dr Toase join the executive team.
“With her industry expertise, I am sure that our Environment and Planning team will continue to deliver high quality services to the Central Coast community.”
Central Coast Council is the third largest Council in NSW and it has one of the most diverse environmental and built communities, Council said.
“With a growing population, the Environment and Planning directorate are planning for continued growth and maintaining the lifestyle that is enjoyed by our community.”
Council’s department of environment and planning has come under fire for years, with high wait times for development applications (DAs) and with some developers resorting to the Land and Environment Court for decisions on DAs that have met the deemed refusal time frames.
The appointment has been welcomed by The Property Council of Australia.
Property Council Hunter and Central Coast Regional Director, Amy De Lore said Dr Toase’s extensive experience across corporate, consulting, regulatory, and research sectors makes her well-placed to lead positive change.
“Danielle steps into this role at a pivotal time for the Central Coast, with strong demand for housing and jobs requiring a renewed focus on planning efficiency and industry collaboration,” Ms De Lore said.
“Central Coast Council assessed more development applications than any other NSW council last financial year—1,614 in total—which highlights both the scale of demand and the importance of a well-resourced, effective planning system.
“We look forward to working with Danielle and her team to build on recent improvements and explore new ways to streamline processes, improve communication, and support investment.”
Ms De Lore said continued improvements in planning efficiency would be key to unlocking the Central Coast’s economic and housing potential.
“The Central Coast is well-positioned for growth, with enormous opportunities to attract investment and create jobs.”
“By focusing on best-practice planning approaches and enhancing communication with applicants, Council can make sure great projects progress in a timely manner while maintaining high standards,” she said.
“We are committed to working collaboratively with Danielle and the broader Council team to share industry insights, support constructive engagement, and help shape a planning system that delivers for both the community and the economy.”
Dr Toase replaces Dr Alice Howe who left for family reasons last year. Long time water and sewer director Jamies Loader has been in the position since then..
Previous to Dr Howe, the director was Scott Cox.
Council has not said when Dr Toase starts with Council.
