Central Coast Council’s new 15 Councillors have been named by the NSW Electoral Commission, following the completion of the Local Government elections on 14 September, and subsequent vote counting and preference distribution.

The result of the Referendum, held on the same day as the Local Government election, to determine the future number of Central Coast Councillors has also been determined – with the YES vote prevailing after receiving the majority of votes.

New Councillors

Budgewoi Ward: Helen Crowley, Douglas Eaton, John Mouland
Gosford East Ward: Lawrie McKinna, Sharon Walsh, Jared Wright
Gosford West Ward: Trent McWaide, Belinda Neal, Jane Smith 
The Entrance Ward: Margot Castles, Rachel Stanton, Corrine Lamont
Wyong Ward: Kyla Daniels, Kyle MacGregor, John McNamara

The new Councillors will be sworn in and welcomed to Council at their first Extraordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 8 October, at which a Mayor will also be elected by the Councillors.  The Councillors may also elect a Deputy Mayor at that meeting.

The Councillors will undertake an extensive six-week induction program which commences this Saturday 5 October, to ensure they are briefed on all relevant administrative and policy items and actions.  

They will receive support from Council staff and external professionals throughout the induction program, which will equip them to undertake their new, important role as a Councillor for their community.

Referendum Result

Central Coast Council’s Constitutional Referendum, held at the same time as the Local Government Election on 14 September, provided voters with the opportunity to respond ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question: ‘Do you favour a reduction in the number of Central Coast Councillors from 15 to nine? This will result in three Wards with each Ward electing three Councillors.’

The Central Coast currently has five wards - Budgewoi, Wyong, The Entrance, Gosford East and Gosford West.

The results of the Referendum were announced on 30 September, with ‘yes’ receiving 62% of the vote count and ‘no’ receiving 38%.

The community’s decision on the Referendum will come into effect from the 2028 Council term, where nine councillors will be elected to represent three wards.

The newly elected Council is responsible for determining how new wards will be created, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 which describes how councils can divide areas into wards and prescribes how this must take place  not less than 12 months before an election. 

The community will have an opportunity for input through a public exhibition process.

The Referendum results reflect consultation conducted in 2021 by the then Administrator, Mr Dick Persson, AM and Acting CEO, Mr Rik Hart, who believed that larger wards could help Councillors think of the ‘whole’ community.

A report will be prepared for Council to consider, with options for new ward boundaries proposed in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act.  Once Councillors have considered the report, there will be an opportunity for community input.

Details of the Central Coast Election and Referendum results can be found on the NSW Electoral Commission’s website, Home - NSW Electoral Commission, by selecting ‘Local Government Elections’, clicking the ‘Results’ button, then selecting ‘Results by Local Government Area’ and choosing ‘Central Coast’.