Council opens another door for growth and investment on the Central Coast 

Council has endorsed the public exhibition of a draft Tuggerah to Wyong Economic Corridor (The Corridor) Strategy and a Transport Report in the next step to enable the successful and sustained growth of the Central Coast.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the draft Corridor Strategy supports the NSW Government’s Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 and will implement a number of directions to guide planning and investment in the region.

“The Tuggerah to Wyong Economic Corridor is a key part of the Northern Growth Corridor in line with the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036. The Corridor aims to help create a prosperous Central Coast and will become one of the region’s priority locations for future jobs, services and business growth,” Mayor Matthews said.

“The draft Corridor Strategy has been developed to manage economic growth over the next 20 years and attract appropriate business development with a focus on the existing centres of Wyong and Tuggerah.

“This Strategy for the north works side-by-side with the Southern Growth Corridor (Somersby to Erina) Strategy which went on public exhibition for the south earlier this year. Together they will open the doors for growth and investment on the Central Coast.”

The Draft Tuggerah to Wyong Economic Corridor Strategy and Transport Report will soon be on public exhibition for 28 days at yourvoiceourcoast.com

Community wins with $148,000 in grants

Council has allocated over $148,000 in funding to 36 community projects across the Coast that actively retain, conserve and promote our local heritage and enhance community life.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council’s grant programs will be used to run programs, purchase equipment, subsidise costs or to upgrade or maintain facilities.

“The overwhelming majority of Council’s staff and all our Councillors live on the Central Coast and it is just as important to us as it is to the community that we make the most of every opportunity to preserve our local character, protect our heritage and provide incentives to attract businesses to the Central Coast,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Council’s grant programs are provided to support our local community deliver quality programs, projects or events that build connections and celebrate our local region and heritage.

“I encourage the Coast’s community groups to keep Council’s grant and sponsorship opportunities in mind and if you meet the criteria, to apply for funding. Council holds a number of grant writing workshops throughout the year to help you maximise your chance of securing much needed grant funding.”

The Heritage Grant Program Round 2 will open in February 2020 as part of the Round 2 Community Grants Program.

The Community Support Grant Program remains open throughout the year with applications assessed monthly.

Council secures $9.56million to help grow the Coast

Council has actively secured $9.56million in funding for the Central Coast community in the first quarter of this financial year through various State and Federal Government programs.

The funding secured includes $6,854,000 of funding from the NSW Government‘s Safe and Secure Water Program to support the upgrade of the Mardi Water Treatment Plant.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said it is important to know that Council not only creates opportunities to work side-by-side with local organisations to deliver quality programs, projects or events, but it also advocates to secure funding for Council projects that benefit the region.

“A significant amount of effort by Council staff has resulted in many elaborate and thoroughly considered expressions of interests, business cases and applications being submitted, which has secured an additional $9.56million in funding,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Council will continue to collaborate with the State and Federal Government to proactively advocate for funding opportunities to deliver Council projects that will see the Central Coast grow and succeed.”

Council to bear increased cost for local elections

Council has received a report outlining the increased costs to Council having the NSW Electoral Commission administering the 2020 Local Government Elections.

The Electoral Commission’s final cost estimate shows the total cost to Council is estimated to be $2,147,083.

This is $424,000 more than figures published in IPART’s Final Report on 30 August 2019 and a 34 percent increase from the 2017 election.

Council has provided the Cost Estimate information to Local Government NSW which will continue to strongly advocate this issue on behalf of NSW Councils.

Council resolved on 11 March 2019 to enter into an election arrangement with the Electoral Commission to administer all Council’s elections, polls and constitutional referenda.

Water Management Advisory Committee established

Six community members will join Councillors Holstein, Smith, MacGregor and Greenaway to form a Water Management Advisory Committee.

The new advisory group will provide advice and feedback to Council on the management of the Coast’s water supply.

Selected community members have been chosen for their knowledge, skills and experience which can contribute to the functions and deliberations of the committee.

As one of its first decisions, the newly formed Water Advisory Committee will review the water storage levels at which water restrictions should be introduced.

In February, Council agreed to introduce restrictions when Mangrove Creek Dam reaches 50 percent. Previously the trigger was 40 percent.

ENDS

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

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