Council calls for report to ensure Coast’s water supply is secure for the future

Council is calling for a report to ensure there is a considered plan in place to secure the Coast’s water supply in light of the current drought conditions, possible approval of Wallarah 2 and effects of climate change.

With NSW now in drought, the report will consider all water security options to increase efficiencies and seek alternate options to source water. The report will also look at the effect on water security of the possible approval of Wallarah 2 coal mine and Climate Change.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council is taking a proactive approach to drought management and secure the water supply for the region.

“Water security for our community and our region is a top priority for Council and one we take very seriously,” Mayor Smith said.

“Our total water storage levels are currently in a relatively healthy position but a range of strategies may need to be implemented.

“The report requested will identify risk minimisation opportunities to provide water security should the prolonged dry conditions continue.

“The risk to our water supply posed by the approval of the Wallarah 2 coal mine and the effect of climate change must be faced and addressed by this Council.

“Identification of triggers for the potential introduction of water restrictions will also be outlined in the report.

“We continue to closely monitor our water levels and actively remind our community of our permanent water wise rules.”

Current dam levels are just under 60 percent. The level at which water restrictions may be introduced are based on a range of factors including water demands, seasonal outlook, population growth and best practice water resource management.

Detail about Council’s water wise rules can be found at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/waterwise

Council seeks to balance support of marine parks with recreational fishing needs on the Central Coast

Council has declared in principle support for marine parks and is calling for the State Government to consult with all stakeholders to identify opportunities for recreational fishing and tourism on the Central Coast.

Council called on the NSW Government to consider the establishment of artificial reefs on the Central Coast along the lines of reefs underway in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council wants to ensure the right balance is found between the need to protect the natural marine environment and providing recreational fishing opportunities on the Central Coast.

“We want to ensure the Central Coast is on the map for increasing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike,” Mayor Smith said.

“We support marine parks and the protection they bring for our environment and future fish stocks.

“Ongoing consultation is needed with all stakeholders to ensure this proposal meets the needs of the Coast now and in the future.”

Council will now lodge a formal submission to the marine park consultation confirming in-principle support for marine parks and calling for consideration of artificial reefs on the Coast by the 27 September deadline.

Alternative options sought for the delivery of sporting facilities for Don Small Oval

Council is moving forward in the process to re-build Wyong Lakes Football Club sporting facility building at Don Small Oval, Tacoma, following the 2013 fire that destroyed the original club house.

Following Council’s approval of the Development Application submitted by the club in 2017, a tender process was undertaken resulting in four applications. These have now been assessed and deemed unsuitable – one not complying and the other three higher than available budget.

Council has resolved to reject all tenders and look at alternate options and a new tender process to deliver the new sporting facility.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council has worked closely and been in regular consultation with representatives of the Wyong Lakes Football Club to work towards the delivery of a replacement facility to meet the community’s needs.

“We understand the need to provide recreational facilities in this growing area of the Coast and we do want to see this facility replaced as soon as possible,” Mayor Smith said.

“We also need to balance the need of providing the right facility and a price that is reasonable and that is what we will do in the next process.

“Welcome news has been received today that we have been successful in securing a State Government grant of $259,000, through the Stronger Countries Fund, which we will match with our own funding from our Operational Plan.

“Through this collaboration with the State Government and the Wyong Lakes Football Club we will deliver a facility we can be all proud of.”

Tourism Advisory Committee formed

Central Coast Council has established a Tourism Advisory Committee to enable better collaboration amongst representatives of different types of tourism businesses, funding partners and government bodies to provide advice to Council on the marketing and product development goals of the Central Coast’s Destination Management Plan.

Mayor Jane Smith said tourism was an important economic driver and employment generator for the Coast and collaboration and expert advice was needed to ensure its success.

“A clear focus of our Community Strategic Plan is to promote and grow tourism that celebrates the natural and cultural assets of the Central Coast in a way that is accessible, sustainable and eco-friendly,” Mayor Jane Smith said.

“The Coast’s Destination Management Plan and soon-to-be released Tourism Opportunity Plan, gives us a road map on how we can prioritise what we do to grow tourism and the Advisory Committee can help ensure actions are achievable.”

Terms of Reference will be developed, and a proposed membership structure will be reported to the first Ordinary Council meeting in November.

Additional lifeguard patrol hours for The Grant McBride Baths

Council lifeguards will now patrol The Grant McBride Baths at The Entrance all year round with a five hour patrol from April to September to be trialled for one year in addition to their normal patrol hours.

The baths are currently patrolled from 9am to 5pm during off peak beach patrol season from September to November and February to April and from 9am to 6pm during peak summer period in December and January.

Council also completes weekend and public holiday patrols at The Grant McBride Baths during the beach patrol season.

Mayor Jane Smith said the additional patrol hours were added during the off season to ensure the community’s safety in the cooler months.

“We have listened to the community who requested the additional hours and are pleased we can now offer this important service all year round,” said Mayor Smith.

“Our lifeguards are some of the best in the country and we thank them for ensuring our community are always in safe hands.”

The usage of Grant McBride Baths will be monitored during this new winter patrol season, starting in April 2019 and impacts reported back to Council.

New structure to deliver aspirations of the Community Strategic Plan

Council has adopted a new organisational structure with eleven senior positions to deliver the services and aspirations of the community identified in the first Community Strategic Plan for the Central Coast.

The former Assets, Infrastructure and Business (AIB) Department has been replaced with a separate water and sewer directorate, a roads, transport and waste directorate and a new Innovation and Futures Department. The Environment and Planning directorate will have a strong focus on environment to deliver the green theme of the CSP.

Council CEO Gary Murphy confirmed there would be no spill of current senior positions and more people would be employed to provide services to the Coast’s growing population.

Council supports community group’s application to re-name reserve

Council is supporting a community group’s application to re-name the reserve on the corner of Coburg and Wells Streets, East Gosford to ‘East Gosford Community Reserve.’

The Friends of East Gosford Community Reserve have been working with Council’s Landcare Team to remove weeds, re-plant and generally improve the amenity of this reserve to provide an open space area for the recreational enjoyment of local residents and visitors.

Council recognises the efforts made by the community in first securing the land for public use and their work to beautify and enhance the area for the community.

Council will now submit an application to the Geographical Names Board formally requesting the reserve be re-named as the East Gosford Community Reserve. Once approved a sign will be erected at the Reserve confirming the re-naming.

Council confirms Sister City ties with Edogawa and Walgett and calls for further review

Central Coast Council has confirmed its commitment to maintain ties with two regions – the Japanese city of Edogawa and the NSW town of Walgett and will investigate the continuation of a sister city relationship with Nitra, Slovakia.

Mayor Jane Smith and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Murphy, will formally enter into discussions with the Gosford Sister City Association about future roles, responsibilities and opportunities.

Mayor Jane Smith said Sister City relationships traditionally build cultural awareness and understanding between communities and current arrangements had proved beneficial to the Central Coast.

“Our relationship with Edogawa in particular has delivered huge benefits to the Coast particularly for our youth who have participated in exchange programs and for the investment in our Regional Gallery,” Mayor Smith said.

“Partnership agreements are also important and that is why we are continuing the agreement with Walgett Shire Council that started in 2007 with the former Gosford City Council which focuses on sporting and youth exchange programs.”

The former Gosford City Council’s sister-city relationship with Nitra in Slovakia expired in 2012 and will now be reviewed with a view to renewing this association.

Any further requests for sister-city relationships will be reported to Council for consideration.

Community Reference Group term extended to oversee first year of Council’s Community Strategic Plan

Council has updated the Terms of Reference for the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) Community Reference Group and extended their initial term for one year to oversee the implementation of the Coast’s first ever Plan – One Central Coast.

The Community Reference Group played a significant role during the development of the Plan including acting as advocates on behalf of the local community, assisting with effective methods of communication and engagement with local community

Mayor Jane Smith said the Community Reference Group had provided invaluable insight and community guidance during the Community Strategic Planning process.

“The Community Reference Group were established early in the process to engage with the community on the development of the Coast’s first ever Community Strategic Plan, One – Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.

“Throughout the process, the Community Reference Group have provided a continual link between the community and Council, reviewing and providing timely feedback on aspects of the Plan from consultation to development and endorsement by Council.

“As we embark on year one of implementation of the Plan, it’s important that we maintain this direct community input, through the Community Reference Group, so we can ensure that we are indeed delivering on the main priorities and aspirations of the community as defined through One – Central Coast.”