Report shows Council has been awarded more than $72million in funding

As of February 2019, Council has submitted 101 grant funding applications and been awarded more than $72million in funding across 60 projects – according to a Council report detailing all current and future grant submissions.

Mayor Jane Smith said that Council has proactively been applying for grant funding since the two councils merged, and will continue to do so. She noted Council’s disappointment that it had been advised it was ineligible to apply for funding from the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund despite initial Government encouragement to do so.

“Grant funding makes a difference to the Central Coast – it helps us deliver important projects and initiatives for our region, and create jobs and opportunities for the growing community,” Mayor Smith said.

“Receiving such a large amount of funding over such a small timeframe is a tremendous outcome, and is thanks to a high volume of complex grant funding expressions of interest, business cases and applications.

“Council staff are to be commended for producing outstanding grant funding applications.”

Major NSW Government funding opportunities include:

• Housing Acceleration Fund – $1.6billion across all of NSW
• NSW Regional Growth Fund – $1.6billion across regional NSW

A number of further grant funding opportunities are expected to be made available to Council in the coming months.

Two new playspaces confirmed for Gwandalan

Gwandalan is set to receive two new playspaces after Council resolved to deliver a large district-level playspace at Tunkuwallin Oval and a smaller local playspace at the Southern Eastern Park.

This resolution follows ongoing community and stakeholder engagement and in-depth investigations by Council in order to provide play facilities that will cater to the needs of the growing community in the Gwandalan area.

Council will now move forward to progress plans and will continue listening to the community and undertake further consultation to guide the designs for each playspace. The playspaces are currently planned for project completion in the 2021/22 financial year.

Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan to go on public exhibition

Council will provide the community with opportunities to provide input and feedback on the draft structure plan for the Greater Lake Munmorah area through public exhibition.

A draft Greater Lake Munmorah Structure Plan has been developed to identify a long-term vision and principles that will guide future land use planning for the area that encompasses the suburbs of Lake Munmorah, Chain Valley Bay, Kingfisher Shores, as well as parts of Crangan Bay and Doyalson North.

Mayor Jane Smith said that Council recognises the importance of developing a vision for the future development of Greater Lake Munmorah, to ensure that this area grows in a sustainable way, by allowing for future growth to occur in a manner that does not compromise the attributes that make the area a desirable place to live and are respectful of the natural environment.

“As Greater Lake Munmorah continues to grow in population, industry and as a popular destination for both tourists and locals, it’s important to develop plans that facilitate growth for the short, medium and long term to enhance the liveability of the area and provide greater certainty for the community in regards to land usage.

“Providing opportunities for the community to have their say is an integral stage in the development of this Structure Plan and the feedback will be used to guide further develop and finalise a plan that meets the need of the community- now and in the future.”

Council to use former Tuggerawong Hall site for future park and playground

As part of Council’s ongoing goal to activate spaces and places for families, community and visitors, a block of land that was formerly the Tuggerawong Hall site has been confirmed for use as a future local park and playground.

Since the demolition of the derelict community hall in September 2017, the land at 326-328 Tuggerawong Road, Tuggerawong has remained vacant.

This decision now allows Council to identify and confirm funding so the site can be transformed as a destination along the Tuggerawong Pathway.

Parking fines on the Central Coast to be reduced by $32

Council has resolved to opt in to the NSW Government’s plan to reduce the minimum amount set for parking fines from $112 to $80.

This decision follows the NSW Government’s announcement last year that it would reduce the infringement amount for the most common parking offences. It encouraged local governments to do the same once the change became law.

The necessary regulatory changes have now been made, allowing Council to opt in to reduce select fines from $112 to $80 – lessening the financial impact to community members who may receive one of the select parking infringements across the Central Coast.

The reduced amounts apply to offences that do not affect road safety, so there are no increased risks to vehicle and pedestrian safety by opting in.

Council approves DA for future industrial development at Somersby

A development application (DA) for a three-stage land subdivision in Somersby, comprising five industrial lots and three lots for road dedication and habitat protection, has been approved by Council.

On 10 December 2018, Council resolved to defer consideration of the DA until a site inspection was conducted. On 11 February 2019, that inspection was conducted.

The proposed development was considered reasonable, and Council granted development consent at its meeting held on 11 March 2019.

Events for the future – Council adopts new Sustainable Event Management Policy

Central Coast Council has adopted an interim policy which will see events planned and implemented with the goal of minimising the impact of the event on the environment.

The interim Sustainable Event Management Policy is designed to provide a framework for best practice sustainability strategies that support events held by Council, as well as events held by the community on Council public managed land, in Council public buildings or events funded through Council’s Grant and Sponsorship programs.

Council Mayor Jane Smith said Council is dedicated to growing events in an accessible, sustainable and eco-friendly way that celebrates the natural and cultural assets of the Central Coast.

“We are committed to sustainability and ensuring environmental resources are available for future generations by reducing litter, minimising waste and educating the community,” Mayor Smith said.

“Our events are important in bringing our community together, in supporting local people and local businesses and in achieving our tourism objectives.

“The adoption of this interim policy helps us ensure that we fulfil community expectations that events will be held in a sustainable manner, and negative impacts on the environment will be reduced.”

Council staff will continue to investigate additional elements within the policy, which will be reported back for adoption within six months.

Calling all town criers …

The National Town Criers’ Championship may return to the Central Coast, after councillors at last night’s meeting called for a report into hosting the 2020 event.

The Central Coast last hosted the event in 2006.

ENDS

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View all Central Coast Council’s recent media releases at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

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