Community members are now being called on to submit Expressions of Interest for six key Advisory Groups across the Central Coast.

The six Advisory Groups will be responsible for providing advice and feedback to Council and will be made up of community representatives, Councillors and Council staff from relevant areas.

Mayor Jane Smith said Advisory Groups have been established in the key strategic areas Council is focussed on progressing and are a chance for community members to be actively involved in finding solutions.

“This is a real opportunity for those with a real passion, interest and expertise in our environment, waterways, economic development and heritage to bring that to the table and directly feed into Council decision-making.

“We are a large Council area, representing over 330,000 residents and we want to provide as many avenues as possible for community voice and representation and these Groups are one part of that.” Mayor Jane Smith said.

The six Advisory Groups are:

1. Catchments and Coast Committee Brisbane Water and Gosford Lagoons - responsible for promoting linkages and co-operation between the community, Council, State and Federal Governments, and other key stakeholders in the development and the implementation of coastal, estuarine, catchment and floodplain management plans;
2. Catchments and Coast Committee Tuggerah Lakes - responsible for promoting linkages and co-operation between the community, Council, State and Federal Governments, and other key stakeholders in the development and the implementation of coastal, estuarine, catchment and floodplain management plans;
3. COSS (Coastal Open Space System) Committee – responsible for providing advice and feedback on championing biodiversity conservation outcomes with the broader community of the Central Coast, providing advice and feedback to Council on the development and implementation of the COSS Strategy for the Central Coast including the expanding COSS;
4. Employment and Economic Development Committee - responsible for providing advice and feedback on ensuring employment and sustainable economic development initiatives of Council align with the Central Coast Community Strategic Plan.
5. Gosford CBD and Waterfront Advisory Committee - responsible for providing advice and feedback on initiatives to promote and appropriately develop and activate the Gosford CBD and waterfront; and
6. Heritage Advisory Committee - responsible for providing advice and feedback on matters relating to natural, historic and Aboriginal cultural heritage and providing advice and monitoring the implementation of Council’s heritage strategy in line with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage guidelines.

Expressions of Interest are open until 21 March 2018, following which a report will be provided to Council recommending appointments of community representatives for Councillors to consider.

Further information and application forms for these Advisory Group are available on yourvoiceourcoast.com.