Coast locks in Cultural Plan

The importance of art and culture to the local community has been reaffirmed after the formal adoption of the Central Coast Cultural Plan 2020-25.

The Cultural Plan canvassed opinions of the cultural sector and broader community and builds on the vision for the Central Coast as a cultural growth hub, previously outlined in the ‘One Central Coast Community Strategic Plan 2018-28’.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the Cultural Plan is a fantastic opportunity for the diverse arts and cultural sector to work towards a shared vision with Council over the next five years.

“The Cultural Plan will position arts and culture as key to strengthening the community, increasing the region’s economic development and supporting its potential as a creative destination,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Moving forward we will look to create opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to learn, create and be heard, participating in, and contributing to, the cultural life of the Central Coast in the process.”

The Draft Plan was on public exhibition between September and November 2019.

Council further supports local programs and organisations

Council demonstrated its ongoing commitment to programs and organisations that benefit the local community through the announcement of successful grant and sponsorship recipients.

The successful applicants for the ‘Round 1 Grants and Sponsorship Program’ and the December round of the ‘Community Support Grant Program’ will benefit from additional funding and/or in-kind support to deliver their activities, which have been recognised as benefiting the community.

Sponsorship helps bring major events to the Central Coast and will bring economic benefits to the region.

Grant programs are provided to support the community to deliver programs, projects or events that build connections, celebrate our local community, align with the One Central Coast Community Strategic Plan and build capacity across the entire community.

Applications for Round 2 of the Grants and Sponsorship Program are currently open and will close on 29 February

Round 1 Grants and Sponsorship Program Recipients:

• Glenworth Valley Horse Riding – Horses Birthday Kids Festival – $15,000 over two years
• Gosford Race Club – Gosford Standalone Race Meet – $24,200 over two years
• Surfing NSW – 2021 Central Coast Pro QS3000 – $50,000 over one year
• Naughty Noodle – 2020 Coastal Twist Festival – $50,000 over one year
• The Opportunity Collective – Central Coast Women's Leadership Mentoring Program 2020 – $19,267 over one year.

Community Support Grant Program Recipients:

• Avoca Beach Hockey Club – Community Come and Try Hockey Avoca Beach – $4,509.14
• Wyong Creek Literary Institute – Rates Subsidy – $1,239.44
• Rotary Club of Gosford City – Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) 2020 – $550.00
• Tuggerah Lakes Art Society – Women in Art Exhibition and Artisan's Market – $2,473.00
• Wyong Garden Club – 40th Birthday Celebration – $1,940.00
• Wingers Softball Club – Uniform upgrade – $1,500.00.

Council approves $174.8million in Development Applications for December Quarter

Council revealed it approved $174.8million of Development Applications in the October to December 2019 period.

Council remains committed to assessing development applications, which respond to the need to providing for a variety of housing choice to suit the needs and lifestyles of the community, support local jobs and services while appreciating and protecting our environmental assets.

Terrigal water quality audit continues to progress

Water quality at Terrigal Beach and Haven continues to improve with 94 percent of dry weather samples found safe for swimming according to a new report.

An update to the comprehensive Terrigal and Coastal Lagoons Audit detailed that work on the first phase of the project conducted throughout 2019 was progressing well.

Key findings include:

• 94 percent of dry weather samples at Terrigal Beach and Haven given a ‘Good’ rating
• 15.7 kilometres of sewer pipes have been inspected
• 3.61 kilometres of sewer pipes were identified as needing upgrades – 1.15 kilometres have been relined
• 10 properties with illegal connections from stormwater to sewer identified
• 2.3 kilometres of stormwater pipe inspected.

Mayor Lisa Mathews said the joint Council and NSW Government Department of Planning, Industry and Environment project would continue to deliver answers for the community.

“Our waterways are fantastic assets and through the project we have identified a number of illegal connections plus some assets and infrastructure needing repair,” Mayor Matthews said.

“A team of scientists from the Department and from Council are working collaboratively with technical experts and operational staff to assess possible sources of pollution in each catchment, determine the impact on long-term water quality, and prioritise remediation works and we look forward to work progressing the next stage of the audit.”

Council to investigate new animal impound facilities

Council will investigate the development of new animal care facilities across the Central Coast to ensure welfare standards now and into the future.

Increasing demands are anticipated and the project will also explore the creation of a single centralised facility that will include all animal holding and article impound requirements.

There are nine Council facilities used for management of impounding functions, which include:

• Council administration building at Wyong
• Council administration building at Gosford
• Animal Care Facility at Charmhaven
• Animal Care Facility at Erina
• Vehicle Impound Wyong
• Vehicle Impound West Gosford
• Article Impound Facility Wyong
• Article Impound Erina
• Livestock Impound Mardi.

The next stage of the project will identify potential sites for new animal care facilities, before a conceptual design is developed and brought to the community for feedback.

Council delivers Second Quarter Business Report

The 2019-20 Second Quarter Business Report was tabled at the 24 February Council meeting. The report covered the period from 1 July – 31 December 2019) and identified:

• Council’s review of capital projects has resulted in a proposed budget decrease of $6.5million for quarter two, which decreases the capital works program to $255.0million

• The year to date (YTD) operating result (excluding capital grants and contributions) is showing an unfavourable variance of $10.8 million, consisting of an actual surplus of $94.7million compared to a budget surplus of $105.5million.
• The YTD operating result (including capital grants and contributions) is showing an unfavourable variance of $13.6million, consisting of an actual surplus of $110.5 million compared to a budget surplus of $124.1million

The report recommended adjustments be made to the 2019-20 budget in-line with the findings.

Draft Consolidated Financial Reports

Council has discussed the draft financial statements for the 2018-19 reporting period which documents the business performance of all Council activities from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 and financial position as at 30 June 2019.

The 2018-19 financial year shows a consolidated operating deficit of $5.1million (before capital grants and contributions income) compared to the original budgeted operating surplus of $64,000 (before capital grants and contributions income).

When comparing the financial performance for 2018-19 financial year to the 2017-18 financial year, it is important to note that in the 2017-18 year there was a revaluation decrement included in the Income Statement of $35.2million as Council did not have any asset revaluation reserves for operational land as a newly merged Council. When the 2017-18 financial performance is adjusted for the revaluation decrement for operational land, the operating result (before capital grants and contributions) is a surplus of $12.5million.

Council’s net assets increased by $104.2million to $7.2billion as at 30 June 2019.

Council applied for and was granted an extension of time to prepare, audit and lodge the 2018-19 financial statements to 29 February 2020.

Council adopts revised audit charter

Council has adopted a revised audit charter that will guide the processes and practices of the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) through 2020 and beyond.

The ARIC is part of Council’s governance framework and provides Council

with independent oversight, objective assurance and monitoring of audit processes, internal controls, external reporting, risk management activities, performance improvement activities, and compliance of and with Council’s policies and procedures.

Council also adopted the ARIC Annual report for 2018 during proceedings.

The revised Charter is based on guidelines issued by the NSW Audit Office.