At the 27 June 2023 Council Meeting, I considered an Administrator’s Minute which aimed to increase transparency and foresight for the community on Council’s community engagement activities. 

I requested that Council prepare a publicly available, 12-month forward plan for community engagement, which can help keep the community informed and will detail how the community can get involved. 

Central Coast Council is about to begin its last complete financial year under the current period of Administration before Councillors return in September 2024. During my time as Administrator, I have met with many individuals, community groups, resident associations, and committees to connect and engage with the community. During some of these conversations, people have expressed they’d like to be more involved in Council matters that impact them, or that they have a particular interest in.

At times, some community members have indicated they had not been aware Council was undertaking community consultation on a certain project or weren’t sure how to stay abreast of community consultation that may be coming up during the months ahead.

While there may be instances when engagement projects arise during this period which were not determined at the time this forward plan is produced, I am seeking for the 12-month forward plan to present the most accurate picture of engagement for the year ahead. 

I look forward to considering the Council’s report which I have requested be provided by the August 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting.

Rik Hart, Administrator