Council unveils long-term economic vision for public consultation

Council are calling for public comment on the Draft Economic Development Strategy 2020-2040 and Economic Recovery and Resilience Framework which reflect on the changing economic conditions of the Central Coast accelerated by the impacts of COVID-19.

The draft Economic Development Strategy reiterates the long-term objective that by 2040, the Central Coast will welcome nearly 88,000 new residents, grow the economy by over $21 Billion, and create over 72,000 new jobs from the pre-COVID-19 baseline.   The Draft Economic Recovery and Resilience Framework aims to keep businesses active, support jobs, foster human capital growth, increase community outreach, and drive collaboration and innovation.  

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the importance of planning for future economic challenges has been underscored by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been an extraordinary time for local businesses who are operating in a difficult environment, and our staff have recognised this by amending these strategies to reflect these rapid changes,” said Mayor Matthews. 

“Council must play its role to enable economic development that can increase local employment opportunities and provide a range of jobs for all residents. Ultimately, our economy will be strong, diverse and resilient, delivering opportunity and benefits to our community,” Mayor Matthews concluded.

Consultation on the Draft Economic Development Strategy 2020-2040 with a range of external stakeholders began back in 2018 to assist in developing the first ever coast-wide economic strategy.

Both documents will be available for online comment at yourvoiceourcoast.com for a 28-day-period with an analysis of the public submissions to be considered by Council’s Employment and Economic Development Advisory Committee.

Future water needs remain high priority

Council’s plans to meet the future water needs of the community are progressing with the Integrated Water Resource Plan on track to be completed by 2021.

The Central Coast Integrated Water Resource Plan, previously known as WaterPlan

2050, is the long-term blueprint for managing the Central Coast’s water resources.  It identifies how to further enhance the water supply system; how to continue to use water as efficiently as possible and how to develop additional future sources of water for the region.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said that water security and future community needs is an issue that remains a high priority for Council.  

“The water needs of a growing Central Coast population means that a blueprint of how to achieve long term stability is an absolute necessity,” Mayor Matthews said.

“The Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline construction is an example of our significant investment in this vital area, and we will continue to work closely with other stakeholders such as Hunter Water to ensure we rise to meet the challenges of water security,” said Mayor Matthews.

Draft Playspace Strategy open for public consultation

Council’s vision for the future of playspaces across the Central Coast is a step closer with the community invited to comment online on the draft Central Coast Playspace Strategy during a 28-day public exhibition period.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said this was about setting a clear direction for planning new and upgrading existing playspaces across the Central Coast.

“Playspaces are important to our community and Council seeks to balance smaller neighbourhood local parks and larger recreational multi-use open spaces,” said Mayor Matthews. 

“Underpinning this draft strategy is the desire to create and build high quality inclusive playspaces which contribute to active lifestyles, support social engagement, are creative, enjoyable, appropriately sited, equitably distributed and sustainably managed,” said Mayor Matthews.

The draft Playspace Strategy also articulates the 20-year renewal program based on life expectancy of equipment and meeting current Australian Standards

Comments on the strategy can be made at yourvoiceourcoast.com

Community projects share in significant grant funding pool

Council’s commitment to helping community projects across the Central Coast be delivered has continued despite the challenges of COVID-19, with more than $300,000 of grants and sponsorship being allocated to a diverse range of groups this quarter.

Forty-three applicants have received funding towards delivering projects that improve community infrastructure and services and provide initiatives and programs that benefit the community.

“This quarter’s funding will contribute to a wide range of projects such as supporting community events, environmental awareness programs, visual art and live performance productions, building a new accessible preschool playground, new sporting equipment and programs connecting young people,” said Mayor Lisa Matthews.

“I am looking forward to seeing these projects come to fruition and being enjoyed by Central Coast residents,” said Mayor Matthews.

Round 2 of the 2019-20 Grants Program saw community groups apply for funding from the Community Events and Place Activation Program, Community Development Grant Program, Community Infrastructure Grant Program, or the Social and Creative Enterprise Grant Program. 35 applications were successful and will share in $486,603.55 of the $1.15 million allocated to the program yearly.

The Community Support Grant Program remains open for applications from not-for-profit groups throughout the year and provides up to $5,000 per project per financial year in combined funding and in-kind Council services to applicants. Five organisations were successful in their applications for the April period and will share a pool of $17,533.00.

Council also provides money or in-kind sponsorship support to assist groups, organisations and businesses seeking support for initiatives that provide benefits to our community. Round two of the Awarding Sponsorship Program in 2019-20 received ten applications requesting a total of $453,852.23 in funding over two years. Three applications for a total funding of $19,900 in 2019-2020 and $13,200 in 2020-2021 have been recommended.

Central Coast Council encourages the coastal community to apply for all available funding to support their business, events, programs and initiatives.   Information about funding programs is now available through Grant Finder. Access  Grant Finder at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and sign up for free alerts.

Council secures its share of government funding

Central Coast Council confirmed that 26 projects have received NSW or Federal Government funding during the March quarter meaning they will share in more than $4 million of funding.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said this was great news for local projects.

“Securing these funds is essential for critical infrastructure projects for our community to be fully funded. It has been a huge effort from staff which has resulted in many elaborate and thoroughly considered expressions of interests, business cases and applications being submitted,” Mayor Matthews said.

The quarterly January-March period that was tabled to Council revealed that the 26 projects requiring funding would share in a combined $4.78 million dollars this quarter bringing the year-to-date total of $14,680,490 dollars secured.

Additionally, there has also been an exciting digital development this quarter to assist both the community and staff access all the different types of grants available as the region attempts to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.

Council has partnered with GrantGuru to provide two grant portals to assist Council staff to proactively seek all relevant State and Federal grant funding opportunities and to support local businesses and community groups to readily identify and be notified of relevant grant funding opportunities.

More information is available at centralcoast.grantguru.com.au

Council forges closer ties with the NSW Rural Fire Service

Central Coast Council has forged closer ties with the NSW Rural Fire Service by accepting seats on two fire management committees.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said that the challenging fire season last summer was a stark reminder of the risks of being a Local Government Area surrounded by bushland.

“The Rural Fire Service did an incredible job for communities across NSW over the recent devasting bush fire season.   Council deeply respects the work of the RFS and was proud to work alongside their teams and other partner agencies to help keep Central Coast residents safe,” said Mayor Lisa Matthews.

“We welcome the opportunity to contribute to coordinated efforts around bush fire management on the Central Coast,” said Mayor Matthews.

Councillor Holstein was elected to represent Council on the District Liaison Committee with Councillor Greenaway as the alternate representative.  Councillor MacGregor will take up a seat on the Central Coast Bush Fire Management Committee with Councillor Holstein as the alternate representative.  

The District Liaison Committee meets quarterly to monitor and review the performance of the service level agreement between Council and the Rural Fire Service.  The Bush Fire Management Committee meets twice a year to provide cooperative interaction between organisations, agencies and the community that leads to effective coordinated bush fire management throughout the Central Coast Rural Fire District and adjoining land.

Elected positions take immediate effect with meetings to be held later in 2020.

Council to hold Extraordinary Meeting for consideration of the Operational Plan 2020-21 

Central Coast Council will hold an Extraordinary Council meeting on Monday 29 June 2020 to consider community submissions and adoption of the Operational Plan 2020-21. The meeting will be conducted online and will be livestreamed via Council’s Youtube channel.