Council is inviting ratepayers and residents to have their say about maintaining current service levels and rates in an online survey opening today.

Council Administrator Rik Hart said Council had done everything it can behind the scenes to help Council’s financial situation and now it was up to the community.

“Our financial recovery is on track, but we cannot become complacent about maintaining our long term stable financial position” Mr Hart said.

“I am proposing to make an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to maintain the current level of rates for a further seven years, consistent with what we asked for earlier this year. This will allow us to maintain current service levels, continue to find more service efficiencies and pay back loans from surpluses that we must generate according to our agreement with banks.

“Council delivers a huge variety of services for our community including patrolling beaches; maintaining public wharves, jetties, boat ramps and ocean baths; fixing suburban traffic issues, filling potholes, repairing road shoulders and removing debris from shared pathways; maintaining town centre amenity with cleaning and security; cleaning public toilet blocks; care and maintenance of parks, reserves and roadside vegetation; environmental programs like wrack collection in Tuggerah Lakes, water quality monitoring, weed spraying, declared pest management and bush regeneration; operating the Central Coast Stadium, holiday parks and cemeteries; supporting sporting and community associations with grants; and delivering libraries, childcare centres, recreation centres, theatres, galleries, public pools; to name a few services.”

“I encourage the community to read the information materials, keep an open mind and tell us what services you value that make the Central Coast a great place to live.

“I am keen to hear from as many residents as possible and invite all residents, businesses and community groups and associations to book an Open Office session with me,” Mr Hart said.

Upcoming Administrator Open Office session dates and times:

• Monday 22 November: 4pm
• Monday, 29 November 2pm, 4pm, 5.30pm

To make a booking, please email the Administrator’s Office at theadministrator@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Online survey: Go to yourvoiceourcoast.com/servicesandrates

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Notes:

In May 2021 the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) approved a temporary rate increase of 13% (plus the 2% rate peg) which is retained in the rate base for three years and removed from the rate base at the end of the 2023-24 rating year for the Central Coast Local Government Area. This temporary one-off increase will provide $22.9M in additional income for the 2021-22 financial year and is one of a number of measures being implemented to ensure Council remains financially sustainable.

In September 2021 Council notified the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of its intention to apply to maintain the temporary Special Variation (SV) implemented in the 2021/22 financial year beyond its expiry in June 2024 for a further seven years. Council is seeking community feedback about the proposal before Council determines in early 2022 whether or not to formally apply to IPART for a Special Variation.