Council adopts Operational Plan and Budget 2022/23

Council has adopted with amendments its Delivery Program 2022-2025, including the Operational Plan and Budget, Fees and Charges for 2022/23, the Resourcing Strategy and revised Community Strategic Plan.

Council CEO David Farmer said that the main amendments for the 2022/23 Operational Plan and Budget related to addressing some service areas where Council is not meeting community expectations and necessary updates to reflect IPART’s (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) May 2022 determination on the water, sewer and stormwater drainage pricing. 

“There is increased budget allocation for key service areas of local roads maintenance, vegetation management, for more staff resources in development assessment and to meet our legislative requirements to develop Plans of Management,” Mr Farmer said. 

“Additionally, we are taking a cautious budgetary approach and have allocated a contingency for increased electricity costs due to current volatility in the electricity market. 

“Our budget reflects zero increases to the domestic waste management service charges for most of our customers, a one percent increase in rates and commencement of staggered increases to water and sewer service charges. These changes still maintain pricing of our water and sewer services as the lowest in the surrounding region and third lowest provider nationally. 

“We have stabilised the organisation and we are focussed on providing the Central Coast community with the services they deserve and need by having a financially sustainable Council,” Mr Farmer said. 
Administrator Rik Hart said that the community can be assured that the adopted plans were responsive to their needs and demonstrated Council’s financial stability after a period of turmoil. 

“Our financial discipline over the last 18 months resulting in the significant financial turnaround of this organisation means we have flexibility to be more responsive to community concerns and external cost pressures,” Mr Hart said.

“The forecasted surpluses for the financial years ending 2022 and 2023 are being responsibly allocated for repayments towards the emergency loans and for priority service areas.  These adjustments still keep us on track with our 10-year Long-Term Financial Plan that provides for long-term financial stability for the organisation.”

During the public exhibition of the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents from 25 May to 21 June, Council received a total of 37 submissions.  The key items raised in those submissions were comments and objections on the increase of rates, water and sewer, and fees and charges; comments and suggestion on projects, actions and activities detailed in the plans and request for projects to be brought forward or for additional projects and activities to be included. 

Operational Plan and Budget 2022/23 at a glance:

• Capital works budget amended, increasing from $168.2 million to $176.5 million, an increase of $8.3 million. The capital works program was amended to accommodate 16 projects that are continuing from 2021-22. The delivery of these projects was impacted by global distribution issues, availability of contractors, resourcing issues due to COVID and significant weather events.
• Key activities:
  • construction commences for the Gosford Regional Library
  • continued pathway construction at Magenta and Tuggerawong
  • playspace upgrades at Wyongah, Blue Haven, Berkeley Vale, Koolewong, Tuggerah, and Killarney Vale
  • road upgrades at Woy Woy, Lisarow, Budgewoi and Shelly Beach
  • gross pollutant trap works at Toukley, Copacabana, East Gosford, and Halekulani
  • investigation of food organics and garden organics (FOGO) processing solution
  • Central Coast Housing Strategy completion
  • District Place Plans for Wyong and The Peninsula
  • Year 2 actions of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan
  • Engagement on the comprehensive Community Strategic Plan
• $597.7M in Operating Income
• $587.9M in Operating Expenditure
• $9.8M Net Operating Result (excluding Capital Grants and Contributions)
• $75.9M in Capital Grants and Contributions

The adopted integrated plans will be available at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

Have your say on the Draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan from 1 July

Council endorsed the Draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan at its 28 June Ordinary Council Meeting, and is asking for the community’s feedback on the Plan from 1 July to 26 August 2022. 

The 10-year Action Plan provides a framework for future planning, management and prioritisation of infrastructure, including where dogs can play on or off leash, and where they are prohibited. The Plan also includes clear criteria and direction for development to ensure there are adequate areas to accommodate dog exercise across the Coast.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said as a region with high rates of dog ownership, Council appreciates the level of community interest on this topic and is keen for the community to have their say. 

“Council is very interested in the provision of infrastructure and open spaces that support responsible dog ownership. It’s important dog owners understand their responsibilities when taking their pets to public spaces, so the whole community can safely enjoy peaceful access to our beaches, parks and open spaces,” Mr Hart said. 

“This Draft Action Plan allows the community – both people with and without dogs as pets – to provide input and feedback on where dedicated off-leash and fenced off-leash areas should be placed, so pets can enjoy some time off-leash, under the close supervision of their owner.” 

Over the past 18 months, Council has been consulting with the community on a range of topics including the Responsible Dog Ownership Policy, Helen Reserve, Gorokan – Dog Park, and Our Coast, Our Waterways. During these conversations with the community, dogs, infrastructure and the environment were explored. Council has used the information collected during these consultations to inform the development of the Draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan. 

For more information on the Draft Action Plan and to have your say, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com.

Draft Tennis Facility Action Plan adopted – shaped by community feedback

Council has adopted the Draft Central Coast Tennis Facility Action Plan, which outlines the strategic direction for development and sustainable management of tennis facilities across the Coast. 

The five-year Action Plan was shaped by community consultation in partnership with Tennis NSW and feedback from multiple local operators and residents over a three-year period. 

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the Plan has a clear vision supported by key objectives.

“This Action Plan sets the vision for the region’s 30 Council tennis centres: to have a network of high-quality, inclusive tennis facilities which contribute to active lifestyles, support social engagement, are creative, enjoyable, appropriately sited, equitably distributed and sustainably managed,” Mr Hart said. 

“Council provides a range of sport and recreation facilities which seek to enhance the community’s access to healthy lifestyle options, and this Action Plan’s objectives set a pathway to achieving this.”

The objectives of the Draft Action Plan are to:

1.    Increase community awareness and participation in tennis
2.    Respond to major drivers, challenges, and opportunities for tennis on the Central Coast
3.    Improve facility governance and business modelling
4.    Engage partners and agencies in delivery of facility improvements
5.    Manage tennis assets sustainably

The Action Plan will include a four-year renewal program to sustainably manage the lifecycle of tennis facilities and provide a long-term strategy for repair, replacement and facility upgrade, funded as part of Council’s annual Capital Works Program. 

Funding supports natural disaster recovery 

The Central Coast has been subject to ongoing disaster events, with increased frequency since 2019.

Council is utilising funding received through the Local Government Recovery Grant Program (LGRGP) to build capacity within the organisation and community to prepare for, respond to and recover from disaster events.   

The Central Coast Disaster Resilience Grant Funding Utilisation Program (the Program) has been endorsed for delivery through grant funding.
The Program is targeted towards several outcomes, inclusive of immediate restoration works, community preparedness initiatives, asset and flood investigations as well as a program to supporting economic recovery.

Two temporary staff positions have been created for a two-year period to support the implementation of the Program.  These project officer roles will bring potential benefits in maximising recovery of grant funds, improvement of processes and procedures to enhance future emergency management functions of Council and support the delivery of other projects related to disaster resilience and recovery. These positions are 100 percent funded through the LGRGP.

Funding has also been received through the Bushfire Disaster Recovery Fund for asset protection works, and Council is in the process of making claims under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for eligible disaster recovery costs. Further grant applications are in development to support additional disaster resilience activities.

Administrator Rik Hart said partnership between all levels of government will support our community in recovery and to build resilience.

“Due to the constant cycle of response and recovery to numerous recent disaster events, the NSW Government (in partnership with the Australian Government) has released a significant number of disaster-related grant funds directed toward building disaster resilience across NSW,” Mr Hart said. 

“Council’s Program will utilise disaster-related funding to build resilience across the Central Coast LGA through various projects to achieve improved disaster program and funding management, increased capacity to meet Council’s legal obligation to provide support emergency agencies and enable planning to have adequate resource to respond to emergency events. 

“This additional resourcing will enable Council to maximise additional grant revenue through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement and update its disaster management framework to support the organisation to effectively prepare for, respond to and recover from disaster events.”

Support for the community through sponsorship and Community Support Grant Program

Groups across the Coast will benefit from funding through sponsorship and the Community Support Grant Program after financial support was allocated to various community groups at the 28 June 2022 Ordinary Council Meeting. 

Council’s Community Support Grant Program will provide a total of $13,430 in 2021-2022 to support three local groups: the Tuggerah Lakes Art Society ($3,430), Berkeley Vale Rugby League and Sports Club ($5,000) and Wamberal Surf Life Saving Club ($5,000).

The Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS) will be provided $45,000 in financial partnership support from Council in 2021-2022 to continue providing locally based sports development opportunities for athletes, coaches and officials, which provide a boost to the local economy. 

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said he’s pleased Council can support programs and projects which help build connections throughout our local community. 

“Vibrant, connected communities are strengthened by the community groups and organisations who operate among them – Council’s role is to help provide appropriate support where possible to further their important work,” Mr Hart said. 

“I’m pleased to see local community groups applying through the Community Support Grant Program, and using resources including drop-in sessions and workshops, to strengthen their applications.”

“Financial partnership support for CCAS will extend in 2021-2022 to assist their programs, which in the 2021 calendar year, saw 242 athletes and 46 coaches supported, 14 talent programs delivered across 13 sports, 6,200 volunteer hours completed, and $8 million contributed to the local economy.”

For more information about grants and sponsorships, head to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants. 

ENDS