Audited financial reports for 2020-21 are adopted

Council has adopted the 2020-21 audited financial reports for Central Coast Council and the Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority.

Council’s consolidated net operating result for the financial year ending 30 June 2021 is a deficit of $70.7M excluding Grants and Contributions for capital purposes. After adjusting for Capital Grants and Contributions, the net operating result is a surplus of $13.0M.

Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority’s net operating result for the financial year ending 30 June 2021 is a deficit of $41.5M excluding Grants and Contributions for capital purposes. After adjusting for Capital Grants and Contributions, the net operating deficit is $16.8M.

The net assets for Central Coast Council as at 30 June 2021 totalled $7.4 billion.

The net assets for Central Coast Council Water Supply Authority as at 30 June 2021 totalled $3.8 billion.

Ourimbah Plans guided by the community’s vision for the preservation of local character

Council has adopted the revised Ourimbah Area Strategy and Centre Masterplan which reflects feedback from community consultation and supports their vision of low growth and preserving the local character of the area.

The Ourimbah Area Strategy and Centre Masterplan (the Plan) presents a vision for Ourimbah that assists with managing the expected long-term growth and change in the area, strengthens its broader economic future, provides housing choice, and enhances the local area’s identity as a place that is safe, attractive, busy and well connected.

The ongoing success of Ourimbah Centre, as a local service centre, will rely on creating an active and attractive environment that encourages people to visit and stay longer. The creation of a new main street for Ourimbah away from the Pacific Highway but connected to the station will also help to preserve the existing heritage character by focusing and rationalising any future development behind these heritage buildings. The protection of the heritage buildings and the associated frontage was a key recommendation of the local community.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is committed to working with and responding to community feedback and the adoption of this revised Masterplan is a good example of this.

“Extensive community consultation was undertaken over a number of years to develop the Ourimbah Area Strategy and Centre Masterplan to ensure it reflects what the community want to see,” Mr Hart said.

“The specific challenges and opportunities that were raised by the community have helped to shape the detailed recommendations presented in the final Plan, which outlines a Low Growth Model for the Ourimbah area with no change to current two storey building height controls (as identified in the Wyong Development Control Plan 2013), and that Ourimbah is termed as a ‘Local’ centre to keep the village characteristics.

“Master Planning is an important process for Councils to undertake, as it allows Council and the community to work together to set the overall vision of a place and maintain the planning controls that assist in preserving the character of an area,” Mr Hart said.

“Council will ensure strategic planning for the region is continued to be developed in consultation with the community and to provide balanced and sustainable development.”

The Plan aligns with the key direction and actions of the draft Central Coast Regional Plan 2041, Community Strategic Plan, Local Strategic Planning Statement, Ourimbah Creek Floodplain Risk Management Plan and other relevant studies.

Council will regularly monitor and review progress towards delivering the actions of the Plan as part of its annual business planning and reporting processes. A comprehensive review the Area Strategy and Centre Masterplan will be undertaken every 10 years.

Helping the stadium to reach its full potential and activate the Gosford waterfront

Central Coast Stadium is a unique location for sporting, entertainment, and community events with a 20,000 all-seated capacity and amazing views of Brisbane Waters.

Council developed a business strategy for the Stadium to ensure it remains a highly valued community asset, delivering significant economic benefits to the region and acting as a focal point for community pride and sense of place within the Central Coast.

The Central Coast Stadium Strategy (Strategy) provides Council with a strategic framework to improve the Stadium as the major sporting and entertainment facility in our region and harness commercial opportunities for the benefit of the community.

However, the existing RE1 zoning is a major hindrance to the stadium’s potential as it limits the stadium’s further development and the current land classification of Community ‘Sportsground’ requires modifications to allow additional uses.

Administrator Rik Hart said outcomes from community consultation provide valuable insight and ensure this facility will meet the needs and expectations of the community.

“Our community’s voice plays an important role in Council’s planning decisions and feedback from recent consultation activity demonstrated support for the rezoning and reclassification process to stimulate the Stadium and make the most of the asset,” Mr Hart said.

“The process also provides Council with an opportunity to understand and alleviate any community concerns and confirm that Council is not considering a sale of the stadium nor the adjoining bowling club site.

“The re-zoning and re-classification will allow for further activation of the stadium for complementary uses (especially on non-event days), additional parking, connection to the CBD and surrounding foreshore to create a vibrant community and visitor hub.”

Council will now progress to re-zone and re-classify Lot 2 of the Central Coast Stadium and is focused on the delivery of the actions identified within the implementation plan of the Strategy and to create a Masterplan which ensures the facility reaches its full potential.

Further consultation with key stakeholders, such as the bowling club will continue.

The Central Coast Stadium Rezoning and Reclassification consultation report can be viewed online.

Council adopts Responsible Dog Ownership Policy

Council has adopted the Responsible Dog Ownership Policy to promote and manage responsible pet ownership on the Central Coast. The policy was developed in line with the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW) and Companion Animals Regulation 2018.

The Responsible Dog Ownership policy was placed on public exhibition in late 2021 with community members invited to have their say.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said in response to community submissions, a number of minor changes have been made to the Policy.

“This policy is particularly important for the Central Coast, with our LGA having the highest population of companion dogs in New South Wales and will define the expectations, requirements and responsibilities that dog owners have both toward their dogs and the broader Central Coast community,” Mr Hart said.

“It’s important for the community to remember that your dog is your responsibility, and we hope that through adopting this policy that we create a mutual understanding of the roles and responsibilities in relation to owning a dog.”

For further information on responsible pet ownership search ‘Responsible Pet Ownership’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Financial partnership support for Surf Life Saving Central Coast continues

Central Coast Council will continue its financial partnership support of Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) for the financial year 2021-2022.

Council will provide $213,500 to SLSCC to ensure the ongoing operations of its 15 Surf clubs can be maintained, including the supply of rescue equipment, delivery of educational programs and ongoing beach safety patrols.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the value this service brings to the community is a significant and vital part of community life.

“The partnership between Surf Life Saving Central Coast and Central Coast Council provides a seven-days-a-week seamless service for the community,” Mr Hart said.

“Council’s financial and in-kind support, along with subsidised rental fees for Council-owned surf clubs, acts as a life support for these clubs – and in turn, for our community.”

Close consultation with SLSCC determined the $213,500 will be distributed as follows:

• $38,000 to SLSCC to coordinate beach safety activities and educational messaging across the Central Coast
• $78,000 to SLSCC to administer the purchase of the following equipment on behalf of the Central Coast’s 15 Surf clubs. This includes: 
  
  • Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) motor over a multi-year replacement scheduled cycle
  • IRB hull over a multi-year replacement scheduled cycle
  • service radios annually for all Surf clubs
  • service oxygen equipment annually for all Surf clubs
  • purchase of one rescue board for each Surf Club
• $6,500 direct to each of Central Coast’s 15 Surf clubs to support beach safety operations

A Social and Economic Value Study of Surf Life Saving in Australia was completed by Deloitte in August 2020 and reported that the total net benefit of Surf Life Saving Australia to the Australian community is $97 billion across 15 years, and that every dollar invested provides a return of $20.20 for the Australian community.

In 2020-2021, SLSCC had a total of 8,338 active members across the fifteen surf clubs, who delivered over 94,742 patrolling hours, with 42,436 preventative actions and 530 rescues completed. SLSCC support operations team also responded to 106 emergency call outs and incidents. A high number of community education programs were delivered by SLSCC in 54 schools across the Coast reaching approximately 15,500 students to promote the importance of beach safe swimming and mitigating risks.

“This partnership supports the multitude of ongoing benefits surf lifesaving brings to the community, including coastal safety and lifesaving, education and training, social benefit of volunteering and increased physical activity,” Mr Hart said.

“I am pleased this partnership will continue supporting our lifeguards and surf clubs to provide their outstanding service to the community.”

ENDS