Council works for an accessible and inclusive Central Coast 

Council will place the draft Central Coast Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 on public exhibition for community feedback, following the successful delivery of its first four-year Action Plan.

The past four years has seen Council:

• Establish the Access and Inclusion Reference Group made up of people with lived experience of disability who assist Council in the development and implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan. 
• Create universal inclusive design and planning guidelines that have been implemented into Council planning documents to ensure more playspaces, places and events are accessible.
• Develop the Pedestrian and Access Mobility / Bike Plan to guide footpath improvements.
• Install 86 bus stops that meet Disability Access Standards.
• Make available beach wheelchairs at 12 patrolled beaches for the community to reely use, and installed beach matting at Umina Beach, Ocean Beach and Toowoon Bay.
• Host the ‘Including You’ sensory tent at key community events which provides free information, equipment (such as noise cancelling headphones) and a calm place for time out.
• Work with local businesses to help them become more accessible and therefore expand their customer base.
• Work with local sports and active recreation providers to help increase participation of people with disabilities in mainstream sport.
• Improve accessibility at its own facilities including installing hearing loops in admin buildings and The Erina Centre; an adjustable dual height service counter at Erina Library; an Accessible Adult Change Facility at Gosford Olympic Pool, plus other accessibility upgrades to Peninsula Leisure Centre, Wyong Pool and Lake Haven Leisure Centre.
• Ensure Companion Cards are accepted at all Council venues that charge an entrance fee.
• Provide Auslan interpreted theatre performances at Laycock Street Community Theatre.
• Partner with key organisations including Central Coast ARAFMI, Musicians Making a Difference and Ability Links to raise awareness about access and inclusion, and Mental Health as an invisible disability.
• Actively promote International Day of People with a Disability on 3 December each year.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council will continue to lead by example so that the needs and rights of people with disability are recognised and catered for.

“Like everyone else, people with disability want to live a meaningful life and be able to participate in all aspects of community life and Council is committed to making this happen,” Mr Hart said.

“Our teams have been working hard to make the Central Coast a great place to live, play and work for everyone, and because they are working closely with those in our community living with disability, their family members and carers, and people working in the disability sector, we know our actions are meaningful and are making a difference.

“The Plan outlines the strategies and actions that Council will put in place over the next four-year period to make the Central Coast more accessible, inclusive and liveable, and I encourage anyone who has an interest to submit their feedback and help shape the future direction of Council’s work in this space.”

The draft Central Coast Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2021-2025 will be available from 16 August on Council’s consultation hub at yourvoiceourcoast.com.

Have your say on Council’s Responsible Dog Ownership Policy

With the Central Coast Local Government Area (LGA) home to the highest population of companion dogs in New South Wales, Central Coast Council has developed a draft Responsible Dog Ownership Policy to outline the expectations, requirements and responsibilities of dog owners to their dogs and the broader community.

Community members are now invited to have their say on the draft Policy, which aims to promote socially responsible dog ownership through education, compliance and mutual understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all members of the community in relation to dogs.

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the Policy has been developed in recognition of the high rates of dog ownership across the Central Coast.

“Owning a companion dog can have wonderful social and health benefits, but it also comes with great responsibility,” Mr Hart said.

“Not only are dog owners expected to look after the health and wellbeing of their dog, they are also responsible for ensuring that their dog does not impact the safety and wellbeing of the broader community or other animals.

“The draft Responsible Dog Ownership Policy has been developed to clearly outline these expectations and promote responsible dog ownership on the Central Coast.

“We know that our community is very interested in responsible dog ownership and we are seeking input from our community to ensure that the Policy meets community expectations.”

Community members can visit yourvoiceourcoast.com to view the draft Policy and have their say, with submissions open from Wednesday 11 August 2021 until 5pm on 8 September 2021.

Gosford Regional Library remains on track for completion in early 2024

Plans for the highly anticipated Gosford Regional Library are forging ahead, with Council resolving to combine the tenders for demolition and construction of the site to improve the selection process for a suitable contractor to undertake the works.

The tender for demolition of the building on 123A Donnison Street Gosford will be combined with the tender construction of the new Gosford Regional Library to enable remediation works associated with the building demolition to be incorporated into the main construction contract.

It is currently expected that a two-stage procurement process – Expression of Interest followed by Request for Tender – will be released in early October 2021. The overall project remains on track for completion in early 2024.

The project is fully funded from a combination of Federal grant funding, a former Gosford Council special rate variation, developer contributions and proceeds from the sale of Kibbleplex.

The Gosford Regional Library is set to become a central meeting point for locals and visitors alike, creating a true drawcard to the city centre.

The Coast’s first regional library will include a dedicated library space, Council customer service centre, library administration, meeting rooms, flexible function spaces and community maker/creator, collaboration and innovation spaces over four levels.

The project is currently at the detailed design phase and community members can head to Council’s website to experience a video walk-through of the design for the new Gosford Regional Library.

In-house’ bid for Central Coast Stadium management rights

Council’s Central Coast Stadium Venue Management Team will be given an opportunity to submit a tender for the management rights of Central Coast Stadium.

The current tender process is an action from the Central Coast Stadium Strategy, which was available for community feedback throughout 2020.

Council has operated Central Coast Stadium for the past seven years and the experienced and dedicated venue management team has built a reputation for working with hirers to deliver outstanding events that generate significant economic benefits for the region.

The decision to permit the in-house tender is in accordance with NSW Local Government (State) Award 2020 Clause 41(iii)(f) and the tender process had been extended by four weeks to allow time for the submission to be prepared.

Supporting advocacy for Infrastructure Contributions reform for region’s benefit

The NSW Government has introduced the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Infrastructure Contributions) Bill 2021 to Parliament which is the subject of a current parliamentary inquiry.

The draft Bill introduces legislation that may enable the implementation of recommendations from the NSW Productivity Commission (PC) review into Infrastructure Contributions, however on closer scrutiny may lead to outcomes where many councils will be negatively affected.

Council will write to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and the Minister for Local Government requesting that the draft Bill be withdrawn until such time as current and proposed reviews have been completed.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council support’s the Local Government NSW’s advocacy in this matter.

“This highlights the broader issues councils are continually faced with. The framework local government operates under is archaic, restrictive and conflicting,” Mr Hart said.

“It is essential that councils and communities are not left worse off by the NSW Government’s infrastructure contributions reform agenda.”

The full Administrator minute is available to view on Council’s website, centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

ENDS