Council’s Draft Operational Plan 2019-20 to deliver $791M for the Central Coast community

Central Coast Council’s Draft Operational Plan 2019-20 which will deliver $791 million worth of investment in essential services and capital works will be placed on exhibition for public comment from 1 April, 2019.

The Draft Plan, which forms the second year of Council's Delivery Program 2018-21, will deliver $567.8million in essential services and $223.2million in capital works in the priority areas of roads; water and sewerage service infrastructure; protecting and enhancing the local environment; community facilities and open space and recreation infrastructure.

Council’s estimated operating income for the 2019-20 financial year is $560.1million, leaving an estimated budgeted operating deficit of $7.7million before capital grants and contributions.

Council is proposing a small deficit to ensure that Council meets community expectations in terms of services and infrastructure. This is part of a longer term financial strategy and Council will welcome community comment on the strategy.

Mayor Jane Smith said the Draft Plan continued Council’s commitment to prioritising key community needs and aspirations for the Central Coast in line with the Community Strategic Plan - Council’s contract with the community.

“The Draft Plan details every project and initiative we will deliver over the next year with a strong focus on consolidation of Council’s core operating systems, delivering community infrastructure and meeting sustainability principles,” Mayor Smith said.

“This reflects Council’s focus on continuing to align services including consolidation of information on one technology platform and some major changes to our operating income and expenditure including increases in electricity and fuel costs and an adjustment in annual charges and user charges in line with our Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) submission.”

Hundreds of projects are planned right across the Coast in the $223.2million capital works program. Priority spending areas include:

• $72.7million in Roads, Transport and Drainage
• $38.4million in Water and Sewerage
• $21.8million in Open Space and Recreation
• $16.3million in Facilities and Asset Management
• $9.4million in Economic Development and Project Delivery
• $4.5million in Business Enterprise
• $4.3million in Waste Services
• $3.1million in Natural and Environmental Assets
• $2.7million in Waterways and Coastal Protection
• $2.3million in Leisure and Lifestyle
• $1.1million in Libraries
• $148,000 in Learning and Education

“We will continue to review our operations to look for innovative ways to deliver services and take advantage of efficiencies to reduce the budgeted operating deficit,” Mayor Smith said.

“Council is in a strong financial position with our infrastructure, property, plant and equipment portfolio having a gross replacement cost of $10.2billion as at 30 June 2018 and investment portfolio which is managed to ensure that Council has sufficient funds to deliver services to the community.”

“Our community have identified their vision of where they want to see the Coast grow and be in 10 years’ time - we want a smart, responsible, green and liveable Central Coast and for all community members to have a sense of belonging.”

“This Draft Operational Plan 2019-20 will enable Council to deliver this for our community and continue to pave the way for a prosperous and positive future for our region.”

Budget Fast Facts

• $560.1million operating income
• $567.8million operating expenditure
• $52.4million capital grants and contributions
• $223.2million capital works program
• $7.7million budgeted operating deficit before capital grants and contributions

Council encourages the community to make submissions on the Draft Operational Plan 2019-20 from 1 April, 2019. To view the Draft Plan, go to yourvoiceourcoast.com, Council libraries and offices at Wyong and Gosford. Submissions will be received up until 5pm Wednesday 1 May 2019.

Small grants benefit community groups

Council last night voted to provide almost $27,000 to seven projects through its Community Support Grant Program.

The Community Support Grant provides support for community groups to deliver activities which require less than $5,000 of funding and/or in-kind support.

Mayor Jane Smith said it is great to see organisations tapping into this funding.

“Often a not-for-profit organisation only needs a small injection of funds or support to deliver a project which makes a significant difference for members of that community,” Mayor Smith said.

“This is what the Community Support Grant Program is designed for.”

Council will allocate $26,980.92 to the following successful recipients:

• Mannering Park Mens Shed – Fume Extraction System - $4,796
• Tuggerah Lakes Art Society – Carnevale 2019 - $4,746.92
• North Entrance Surf Life Saving Club – COAST LIFE: Contributing to life near, on and in the water - $5,000
• Central Coast for Social Justice – Welcome to Refugees Picnic - $4,298
• Mannering Park Amateur Sailing Club – 50th celebration and Sailability Jetty opening - $5,000
• Aboriginal Men’s Health and Wellness Group – Aboriginal Men’s Health and Wellness Group Support Meetings - $2,840
• Central Coast Kids In Need – Extra Waste Disposal Bins - $300.

Council’s Community Support Grant Program is open throughout the year.

For information, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/funding.

Plans for Gosford CBD Heritage to be revitalised

Council has resolved to place the draft Gosford Central Business District (CBD) Heritage Interpretation Strategy on public exhibition in May for a minimum of 28 days.

The strategy aims to bring the heritage of Gosford to life with a series of innovative, interactive and inclusive ways to engage visitors with the city’s past, and reposition the CBD as a destination for tourists and residents.

Mayor Jane Smith said that the initiatives within the strategy incorporated the most recent developments in the heritage field.

“Heritage interpretation helps communicate the value of sites, both their built fabric and attachment of local residents to their home,” said Mayor Jane Smith.

CBD has significant heritage sites with 64 potential activation locations identified in the strategy. A number of concept interpretation projects are in the strategy for future funding considerations. I encourage the community to review the strategy and submit their considerations about it.”

The outcomes of the strategy followed consultation with the city’s residents and key stakeholders. The outcomes reflect practical needs such as job creation, the engagement of disenfranchised and marginalised residents, as well as a renewed sense of place and identity.

Residents can have their say online via yourvoiceourcoast.com and community consultation sessions.

Council pursues external funding opportunities

Council received a report outlining the current status of State and Federal electoral funding opportunities and the strategy used to pursue funding.

From December 2017 to 11 February 2019, strong funding applications helped Council receive over $72.85million in funding across 60 projects. As at 11 February Council has 26 projects under consideration for external funding with a total value of over $44.33million.

A core strategy employed by Council to pursue electoral funding opportunities is the progression of suitable planning and design for ‘grant ready’ priority projects that align with the Community Strategic Plan for the Central Coast and relevant State and Federal Government strategic plans and initiatives.

Approximately 150 priority projects suitable for external funding have been identified and can be viewed on Council’s website.

Council takes more time to consider housing affordability options

Central Coast Council last night deferred consideration of the draft Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy to enable more time to consider the proposed amendments made following public consultation.

The draft Strategy was on public exhibition for 103 days last year to allow as many community members as possible to comment. During that time, 441 submissions were received, along with supportive petitions containing 1,718 signatures.

Mayor Jane Smith said this was an important strategy to address more housing choice for households earning less than $100,000 per year.

“Many factors and agencies influence housing affordability, and we want to ensure there are diverse and affordable local housing options on the Central Coast and we consider carefully the impacts of the strategy actions.”

The draft Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy will return for consideration to an April Council Meeting.

Council strengthens commitment to address climate change and its impacts

Council has endorsed six pledge actions as part of the national Cities Power Partnership Program to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The pledge actions include installing rooftop solar on Council buildings, reducing emissions from wastewater to generate energy, improving landfill gas capture systems, energy efficient street lighting, supporting the uptake of electric vehicles and supporting local community groups with their community energy initiatives.

Council Mayor Jane Smith said Council has committed to a future of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport and advocacy initiatives.

“I am proud to see we have selected the six pledges that were identified as the most likely to have the highest impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Mayor Smith said.

“These actions will strengthen our ability to incorporate renewable energy and energy efficiency into future planning, while also having positive economic benefits by reducing Council’s electricity costs and helping us move towards a circular economy model.

“I look forward to next steps of developing relationships with other Council’s involved in this free national Program to help improve what we can achieve for our community to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”

Council will provide six monthly progress reports on the pledges as required by the Cities Power Partnership Program.

ENDS