Gosford Cultural Precinct is on the horizon

Central Coast Council is moving forward with detailed designs for the Gosford Cultural Precinct (the Precinct) – creating an integrated cultural hub which will connect Gosford Regional Library & Innovation Hub (the Regional Library) and the Regional Performing Arts and Conference Centre (RPACC).

The design includes final sites for both priority projects, which were selected following extensive research and analysis, as well as pedestrian linkages and undercover parking.

Please see separate Media Release for further details.

Community to have say on Council’s management of community facilities

Central Coast Council has resolved to undertake a review of its management of community facilities and the issues raised by the community to put forward a model for the future.

A working group of interested Councillors and relevant staff will be established to undertake a review of the use and management of community facilities.

Mayor Jane Smith said the former Wyong and Gosford Councils had different approaches to management of community facilities and a consistent approach with community involvement was needed.

“We acknowledge the community’s concerns around the management of the region’s community facilities and will be working together to develop a consistent and fair approach that meets the needs and expectations of our residents,” Mayor Smith said.

“These facilities are used by a range of community groups, many of whom make an invaluable contribution to the Central Coast community.

“We need to ensure community facilities are utilised in the best interests of our community now and in the future and we need this review to ensure that.”

Central Coast Council owns 340 community facilities including community halls, community centres, community cottages, historic facilities, lifeguard towers, sports facilities, and recreation and aquatic centres.

Council will receive a report on progress, key actions and milestones in February 2019.

Council adopts new Code of Meeting Practice to deliver more efficient meetings

With the aim to deliver more time-efficient and effective Council meetings, a public forum will be held before every meeting, and debate times will be limited, in a new Code of Meeting Practice adopted tonight.

Members of the public will no longer address full meetings of Council – instead a public forum will be held at 6pm – before the meeting commences at 6:30pm – during which time registered community members will have three minutes to have their say.

Members of the public will need to register with Council by 10am on the day of the meeting if they wish to speak on an item, and will have a maximum of three minutes to address the public forum.

Council can also resolve to delay the start of the meeting by thirty minutes to accommodate more speakers and debate times, as well as extending the finishing time of a meeting, ensuring all forums and meetings have both structure and flexibility.

Debate in Council meetings on individual items will be time-limited to thirty minutes which will assist in ensuring meetings end at the agreed meeting finishing time of 10.30pm.

Mayor Jane Smith said the public had been consulted over the changes which make Council meetings more efficient and focused on decision-making.

“We are committed to open and transparent decision-making in the best interests of our community, that has not changed,” Mayor Smith said.

“Meetings are still too often exceeding the agreed finishing time of 10.30pm which is putting a strain on Councillors, staff and those members of the community interested in seeing our decision-making firsthand.

“These changes will ensure we can strike the right balance between the community and Councillors having their say, while ensuring meetings are efficient and timely.”

All changes comply with the Office of Local Government’s draft Code of Meeting Practice currently on consultation.

Council to prepare for funding opportunities as elections approach

In the lead up to State and Federal elections, Council will take steps to ensure it is ready to submit priority projects for major funding opportunities.

Council has resolved to engage with the Central Coast community in a constructive and bipartisan way to identify and prioritise key projects for funding submissions.

As the third largest local government area in NSW, Central Coast Council will be in a strong position to submit a range of projects for State and Federal funding.

Council will receive a report providing an update on funding opportunities.

Council’s capital works projects on-track

The majority of Council’s capital works projects are on schedule as at 31 August 2018, with a planned investment of over $199million in the 2018-19 financial year.

Some of Council’s capital works projects include 574 roads and drainage projects, 61 open space and recreation projects, and 40 projects to enhance our natural and environmental assets.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council’s significant capital works program spanned the Central Coast’s road network, water and sewer services, the local environment, community facilities, and open and recreation spaces.

“Delivering our capital works program is an important part of our contract with the Central Coast community and we are on-track to deliver.”

Council invested over $170million in capital works projects across the Central Coast in the 2017-18 financial year.

Council seeks resolution for Woy Woy railway underpass development

Council is calling on the State Government to develop a business case for a new railway underpass at Woy Woy to remove the need for the Rawson Road level crossing.

Mayor Jane Smith said a railway underpass at this location would be safer and would reduce traffic congestion.

“There are so many potential benefits of this project, most importantly improving safety for the many pedestrians and cyclists that pass through the Rawson Road level crossing every day,” Mayor Smith said.

“Constructing an underpass would significantly reduce risk to the railway corridor and improve emergency evacuation routes during natural disaster events

“Rawson Road is the main arterial link into and out of Woy Woy and this project would help to reduce traffic congestion and commuter travel times.

“This is a priority project for the Peninsula that the State Government should prioritise and we are willing to collaborate to make that happen.”

Council to look at local procurement policy for the Central Coast

Council will investigate the steps required to develop a local procurement policy for the Central Coast with a view to adoption for the 2019-20 operational budget.

The purpose of the policy would be to stimulate the Central Coast economy by encouraging the use of local labour, products and services to deliver Council services not directly delivered by Council staff.

Mayor Jane Smith said the Central Coast offered products, services and skills that are of an exceptionally high standard.

“Our local workforce, businesses and products are of an exceptionally high standard and this potential policy could help us ensure Council taps into our local resources as much as possible,” Mayor Smith said.

Options to be considered include favouring local workers and businesses in the tendering processes through a weighting or ratio system.

Council will also consider supporting a buy local campaign to encourage the Central Coast community to purchase local and products whenever possible.

Council to support Inquiry into waste

Council will support a NSW Government Special Commission of Inquiry into the Mangrove Mountain and Spencer landfill and dump sites.

Mayor Smith said the Inquiry is needed and Council is keen to support the process, which came out of the Upper House inquiry into waste.

“A Commission of Inquiry would provide the answers to a number of questions relating to the Mangrove Mountain and Spencer landfill and dump sites,” Mayor Smith said.

“How the sites are regulated and their operation should all be addressed, as well as why the Mangrove Mountain Landfill was approved in the first instance.

“This is a priority issue for Council and one of the first things we did, following the election, was set up an Advisory Committee specifically to look at the Mangrove Mountain landfill site and the illegal dumping at Spencer.”

Council has previously welcomed the recommendation for the inquiry and will now write to the relevant NSW Minister(s) and Shadow NSW Minister(s) and the NSW Upper House crossbench spokespersons on the environment to inform them of Council’s decision to support this Special Commission of Inquiry.

Council report confirms busking locations for the Central Coast

A report has confirmed that Council encourages busking at a range of community locations but this does not extend to footpaths within town centres.

Council’s approach is outlined in the Central Coast Busking Policy and is consistent with the eight Councils analysed for the report.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council actively encourages busking to bring colour and vibrancy to public spaces.

“Busking can add so much life to a location and it is wonderful to see that this is a growing feature across the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.

“Busking is actively encouraged and we would love to see the next big Australian music industry star get their start here on the Coast.

“We do need to ensure the safety of both buskers and community members and this is why some locations and activities are not permitted under our policy.”

Buskers need to obtain a Busking Approval Card for a small $20 fee, which provides coverage through Council’s public liability insurance.