Central Coast Council is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for three community members to join the Chain Valley Colliery Community Advisory Panel. The panel will help assess grant applications submitted within the Chain Valley Colliery Grant Program. EOI applications are being accepted now until Friday 21 July 2023. 

Council is looking for community members who have a significant connection to the suburbs of Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park to ensure a community voice is a part of the funding allocation process. 

Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said the panel is integral to ensure the community with a connection to these suburbs, have their voice and local community need heard.

“Three community members will be appointed to the advisory panel and the new members will form part of the five-person assessment panel which will also include one representative from Delta Coal Pty Ltd and one Council staff member,” Ms Smith said. 

“The panel will separately assess and make recommendations on each grant application received and come together to review the applications based on their understanding of each project and its potential social, cultural, economic, and environmental benefits.”

The Chain Valley Colliery Grant program was established in 2013 as a condition of consent for Delta Coal (formerly Lake Coal Pty Ltd) to extract coal. The Voluntary Planning Agreement (CPA) requires $0.035 for each tonne of coal produced to be allocated to the grant program to develop community capacity within the suburbs of Summerland Point, Gwandalan, Chain Valley Bay and Mannering Park. 

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the panel is one way we can build community capacity and ensure decisions made for the community have influence from the community. 

“Those interested in influencing funding allocation for community programs, activities and infrastructure in the suburbs identified are highly encouraged to put their hand up to be a member of the panel. It’s important we have a diverse range of voices and that can only happen if we have a diverse range of applicants,” Mr Hart said.

Community members who are current residents or have a demonstrated community connection to the identified suburbs are invited to complete an Expression of Interest by Friday 21 July 2023. 

Learn more and apply at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/EOI.

ENDS