Council to design and build new play space in Wadalba

A new play space at 30 and 32 Voyager Rd, Wadalba (opposite Johns Road) is proposed for construction in the 2019/20 financial year.

Detailed planning and design will firstly be undertaken, with the new play space to provide a shared active space for the many young families that live in this growing region.

Council’s first all-region plan for future growth and development to go on exhibition for community feedback

Central Coast Council’s plan for growing the Central Coast in a sustainable manner that enhances the region’s character, preserves its natural attributes and improves our quality of life will soon be on exhibition

The draft Urban Spatial Plan (draft Plan) aims to provide a spatial framework that will guide the Central Coast Region’s future growth and development over the next 20 years, prioritising the uniqueness of local areas and local communities.

“This Plan is the next step in helping to achieve the long term social, environmental and economic aspirations of our community,” Mayor Smith said.

“It responds to the goals and directions of the NSW State Government’s ‘Central Coast Regional Plan 2036’, and Council’s ‘One Central Coast Community Strategic Plan 2018’, to ensure the Central Coast of tomorrow will grow into a world class region that is Smart, Green and Liveable with a shared sense of belonging and responsibility.

“The draft Plan proposes four planning pillars: Place, Environment, Lifestyle and Infrastructure, four growth strategies: Revitalise Centres, Renew the Urban Form, Define the Urban Edge and Create a Sustainable Region, as well as a number of key initiatives, planning priorities and transformative ideas to provide guidance for spatial planning across the region.

“This is an exciting step as we move closer to becoming ‘One Central Coast’, whilst respecting the local character, and when the draft Plan goes on exhibition in the coming weeks, we encourage the community to have their say and input into the future growth and development of our region.” Mayor Smith said.

Council allocates nearly $121,000 in community grants

A range of community programs are $120,654 better off after funding was allocated from Council’s 2018-19 grants budget.

“The Community Support Grant Program supports the community’s not-for-profit organisations to deliver activities requiring a small amount of funding or in-kind support,” Mayor Jane Smith said.

“Projects that received funding include Toastmasters mentoring people with a disability, Dads Day Out, pool rescue skills development, netball coaching program, junior touch football championships, local writers’ stories of belonging as well as a number of smaller scale community infrastructure improvements including East Gosford Lions Clubs Hall and Mangrove Mountain Hall.”

The Program has an annual budget of $300,000 and is open all year, providing up to $5000 per project per financial year, in combination with other funding and/or in-kind Council services.

From March to May, Council received 46 applications for Community Support Grant Program funding. Of these, 36 applications were approved.

List of projects with funding approved in March, April and May 2019:

1. House of Praise Turning Point Foundation, Engage, $2,620
2. Central Life Christian Church Incorporated, Beauty For Ashes, $5,000
3. Endless Night Theatre Company Inc, Set construction materials for Endless Night Theatre Company productions, $5,000
4. Surf Life Saving Central Coast, Pool Rescue Development, $2,103.05
5. Fellowship Of Australian Writers NSW Inc, The Central Coast Stories of Community and Belonging $3053.95
6. Woodport Netball Club, Woodport Netball Club, Coaching, $2,000
7. Wyong Toastmasters Club, Pilot Programme to include NDIS clients in Toastmasters, $870
8. Aboriginal Land Council, Colours of Country Aboriginal Art Exhibition, In Memory of Sean Lonergan and Cultural Market Day, $3,000
9. Lions Club of Toukley Inc, New roller door, $1,610
10. Dogs in the Park NSW, $5,000
11. China Australia Friendship Assoc, Central Coast Chinese Cultural Festival 2019, $1,800
12. Central Coast Cricket Association, Development of Girls Cricket, $5,000
13. Central Coast Poets Incorporated, 40th Anniversary Special Anthology, $1,509.11
14. Central Coast Primary Care, Mental Health - Art works!, $1,295
15. Central Coast Wetlands - Pioneer Dairy Trust, Purchase of Flail Mower and Spare Parts, $4,979
16. Green Point Community Centre, Green Point Markets - Winter Solstice Celebrations, $3,138.90
17. Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Umina - The First Fifty Years 1914-1964, $2,420
18. Wyoming Public School P&C, Wyoming Public School 50th Anniversary Book/Webpage, $2,015.00
19. Coast Inc, Bonsai Open, $4,533.60
20. NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Inc, Speak Up For Wildlife, $1,422
21. Gosford City - East Gosford Lions Club Inc, Hall refurbishment – Internal, $5,000
22. Kariong Neighbourhood Centre, Little Big School, $5,000
23. Marine Rescue NSW - Hawkesbury Unit, Upgrade to LED lighting in Training/Emergency Centre, $1,320
24. New South Wales Rugby Union Ltd, NSWJRU U10 and U11 State Championships, $5,000
25. Uniting-Northern Lakes Neighbourhood Centre, Dads Day Out, $5,000
26. Bateau Bay PCYC, Kids v Cops Oz Tag, $4,000
27. Narara Valley High School P&C, Cultural Exchange with Central Coast Sister City Edogawa, Japan, $ 2,500
28. Peninsula Junior Touch Association, Central Coast Junior Touch Championships, $3,839
29. We Care Connect Limited, Donation collection and delivery project, $3,554
30. Killcare Surf Life Saving Club, Surf Life Saving Youth Development, $4,380
31. Central Coast Bombers, Auskick Programs in School, $5,000
32. Central Coast Chinese Activity Group, Central Coast Chinese Activity Group, $2,450
33. Convict Footprints Productions Inc, Help us pull our trousers up, $2,750
34. Mangove Mountain Districts Community Groups, Mangrove Mountain Hall Electrical & Water Upgrades, $2,492
35. Gulan Friends Club, Hire of council Venues, $5,000
36. Chertseydale Community Cottage, 50-Year Anniversary Fair for Chertsey Primary School, $5,000

Tourism Opportunity Plan to go on exhibition for community feedback

Council’s plan for the long-term viability and sustainability of tourism for the Central Coast will soon be on exhibition.

Mayor Jane Smith said the Plan is about growing tourism value and identifies experiences that will contribute to the coast’s employment and economy.

“To achieve this, the plan identifies three key strategies.”

“Importantly one of these is something we can all contribute to - ‘1000 Little Things We Could Do’, is an exciting proposition to improve the experience of visitors to the coast, however big or small.”

“The Plan also identifies strategic independent investment opportunities and an exciting new destination positioning for the Central Coast to help with changing perceptions.”

Julie Vaughan, Director Connected Communities, said the Plan’s vision is to continue to build the Central Coast as a vibrant and attractive place for visitors and residents.

“The principles of the Plan will help guide a sustainable approach to examine new experiences and concepts for tourism on the Central Coast,” said Ms Vaughan.

The community are encouraged to review the plan and have their say and input into tourism.

Council to match funding for construction of Terrigal Boardwalk

Council has agreed to match a funding commitment of $2,938,600 for the construction of the proposed Terrigal Boardwalk.

last night’s meeting, Council authorised Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gary Murphy to enter into an agreement for a 50 percent contribution with Restart NSW from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism fund to proceed with the project.

Council’s commitment will include $1.648 million already collected from the Terrigal Tourism/Business Development Rate.

Approval was also given to the CEO to invite fixed price tenders for the construction of the proposed boardwalk in Terrigal.

Mayor Jane Smith said the boardwalk will improve pedestrian access and mobility.

“The proposed boardwalk will offer all-inclusive access between Terrigal Town Centre and the Haven for pedestrians,” Mayor Smith said.

“Council has also listened to the community and made some changes to the design of the proposed boardwalk to ensure minimal adverse environmental impacts associated with construction and future use.”

“Council will also investigate any heritage significance of the rock platform and work with the funding body to accommodate any heritage considerations,” said Mayor Jane Smith.

Council’s investment and cash portfolio in a strong position

Council’s investment and cash portfolio stands at $489.44million following $1.12million in interest earnings in May.

The Investment Report as at 31 May identified that Council had $466.15million in investments and $23.29million in transactional accounts and cash in hand.

In managing its portfolio Council takes into consideration credit ratings of financial institutions, interest rates offered and the amount of investment portfolio already held with each financial institution.

Council continues to also look for ‘Green’ investment opportunities subject to prevailing investment guidelines.