Highlights of the 13 May 2019 Council Meeting

Surprise firefighting levy burns Council’s budget

Central Coast Council is calling on the NSW Government to fund the first 12 months of an unexpected emergency services levy designed to provide improved workers compensation to career and volunteer firefighters.

NSW councils have only just been informed of the increased levy to fund the workers compensation insurance, which resulted from legislation passed last November.

Revenue NSW has sent Central Coast Council an emergency services levy invoice for $4,825,320, which is an increase of $624,977 (14.9%) on last year’s levy.

Local Government NSW has called on all NSW councils to protest the unexpected levy increase, which comes at a time when they are finalising their 2019-2020 budgets.

Mayor Jane Smith said while Council supports improved workers compensation for emergency services staff and volunteers, the unexpected levy would impact Council’s ability to deliver services to the community.

“Many of our own staff members are also volunteers and we want them to have adequate workers compensation if they or any other emergency worker is unfortunate enough to need it,” Mayor Smith said.

“However, the implementation of this increase has been poorly planned and goes against the NSW Government’s commitment to work in partnership with the Local Government sector.

“I will be writing to the Premer and NSW Opposition Leader, key Ministers and our local State Members requesting that the State Government pay the first 12 months of this extra cost, and that it work with local government to redesign the future implementation of the scheme to ensure it is fairer for councils and their communities.”

Council to fund business support program for Central Coast town centres

Six business groups across the Central Coast will share in $180,000 in funding through Council’s Business Development Support Program for Town Centres.

The program is part of Council’s recently adopted Town Centre Management Operational Model and aims to develop small business in town centres by supporting local initiatives.

Funding will be provided in the 2019-20 financial year with $30,000 to be provided to the following groups:

• The Gosford Business Improvement District
• The Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Toukley Vision
• The Peninsular Chamber of Commerce
• Gosford, Erina and Coastal Chamber of Commerce
• The Entrance and Districts Chamber of Commerce

Council is committed to a collaborative approach whilst changes to the Town Centre Management Model take effect and the regional Economic Development Strategy is developed.

Mayor Jane Smith said creating vibrant and active town centres is important for the future of the Central Coast.

“Strong town centres are important elements in attracting visitors to the Coast and will also provide economic opportunities for local businesses which in turn, leads to jobs for Central Coast residents,” Mayor Smith said.

Community projects to share $5.6million in grants and sponsorship

Thirty-nine community projects and events will share in more than $5.6million after the second round of Council’s 2018-19 Grant and Sponsorship Program.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council received 111 applications for funds from the Community Grants Program and 10 applications for funds from the Sponsorship Program.

“Our Community Grants and Sponsorship Program offers fantastic opportunities to not only improve the lifestyle of Coast residents but to promote the region as a great place to visit.

“I am pleased to see so many diverse organisations accessing grant funding to run events and programs or to improve or preserve equipment and buildings,” Mayor Smith said.

The grants and sponsorship funding will be allocated to:

• Community Events and Place Activation Program – 23 applications will share $227,243.74 from the 2018-19 budget
• Community Infrastructure Grant Program – 5 applications will share $190,359.53 from the 2018-19 budget
• Social and Creative Enterprise Program – 5 applications will share $34,850 from the 2018-19 budget
• Sponsorship Program – six projects will share $111,200 of funding, to be paid over three years until 2020-21.

Terrigal Catchment Audit remains high priority for Council

Central Coast Council has confirmed that no sewage entered the stormwater system at Terrigal Beach in April and maintains the ongoing Terrigal Catchment Audit is a high priority project for the area.

A report to last night’s Council meeting said that over the Easter long weekend, Council received reports by community members of unpleasant smelling and discoloured water being discharged at the southern end of Terrigal Beach. Council responded immediately to community concerns and commenced an investigation confirming that while two separate sewer blockages and overflows were correctly reported in Terrigal that same weekend, a thorough inspection at the time showed no evidence of sewage having entered the stormwater system.

A non-toxic marine algal bloom, appearing as a brownish slick in the water, was confirmed to be present at the time Council received the reports of a change in water quality at Terrigal. Marine algal blooms are a natural occurrence and can appear from time to time in response to water and climatic conditions.

When alleged sewerage blockages and overflows are reported, Council’s primary concern is public health and safety with crews on standby to respond 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Council is continuing to monitor the water quality at Terrigal Beach through the Terrigal Catchment Audit and the Beachwatch monitoring program, which is monitoring water quality issues at Terrigal Beach in partnership with the NSW Government (former Office of Environment and Heritage).

The audit is using a number of methods to determine potential contamination sources, including DNA analysis, pharmaceutical and ammonia testing and CCTV inspections of targeted drainage systems.

At last night’s meeting, Councillors requested a further report into possible sources of pollution including compliance, relating specifically to seven drains located at the southern end of the beach.

Mayor Jane Smith said beaches such as Terrigal are highlights of the Central Coast community, attracting not only residents but tourists to enjoy the Coast’s relaxed lifestyle.

“The quality of our water and beaches are very important to our community and I urge anyone who has concerns about water quality to contact Council quickly so that action can be taken,” Mayor Smith said.

To report water quality issues, phone 1300 463 954.

Council approves multi-dwelling Woy Woy housing development

Council has approved a development application for a residential flat building and multi-dwelling housing development in Woy Woy, comprising 27 units, 7 townhouses and a basement carpark.

The development application for 170–176 Blackwall Road and 8 Farnell Road, Woy Woy was approved after being assessed against a range of considerations and policies, with variations made to the original proposal in relation to matters such as vehicular entry, solar access, waste servicing and communal open space in order to achieve a better design outcome.

Council approves seniors’ housing development in Green Point

Council has approved a development application for a seniors’ housing development in Green Point, comprising eight individual two-bedroom units and nine parking spaces.

Council deferred consideration of the initial DA until the completion of a site inspection, with the proposed development considered reasonable after being assessed against all considerations and policies.

Council outlines fox control program

Council has outlined the details of its Fox Control Program.

The report is in response to a resolution from its meeting on 11 February 2019.

The report confirmed Council’s investment in pest species management, which is largely focussed on its fox control program, as an important tool in the management of the impacts of predation on vulnerable populations of native wildlife on Council land.

The program focuses on a 1080 baiting program, which is also supported by a trapping program which is only conducted when foxes have been sighted in environmentally significant locations and where restrictions to baiting apply.

The concentration of 1080 used for vertebrate pest management is extremely low and is not lethal to humans.

Public notices for 1080 are included in the Central Coast Express Advocate four times per year by Council, as recommended by Local Land Services. This information is also available on Council’s website.

Council has obligations under the Biosecurity Act 2015 to ensure that biosecurity risks, including pest animals are prevented, eliminated or minimised on Council owned and managed land.

Council moves forward with bid to host Town Crier Championship

Council will write to The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australia as part of a bid to host the National Town Crier Championship in 2020.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council had allocated budget in the 2020-21 financial year to host the prestigious event.

“Our very own Town Crier Stephen Clarke has been named National Town Crier on four occasions and it would be a great win for our region to host the championships,” Mayor Smith said.

The National Town Crier Championships have been hosted by various local Councils across Australia for the past 27 years, with an average attendance of 25 town criers from multiple states participating.

ENDS

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